Monthly Archives: February 2024

29 February 2024
Speaker : HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Appearance Day of Śrīla Bhakti Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura!

Hare Krishna !!

Theme: Divine appearance of BSST, a ray of Vishnu

Today is the 150th Appearance day of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura would pray to Lord Jagannātha that his propaganda continues forever. Then Lord Jagannātha blessed him in the form of a son. Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura named him as Vimalā Praśāda. This had happened 150 days ago on the day of panchami in the month of Magha, Krśna paksha. A Biography, among many, has also been written on him which is known by Ray of Vishnu as a ray of Vishnu had appeared in the form of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. When everyone was taking darshan of him, they observed a sacred thread (yagyopavit) on him which surprised them. They all got to know that this child was transcendental. Nayana Manjari had appeared in the form of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. He did not attain perfection by performing devotional services; rather he was perfect since his birth. Bhatīvedānta Swāmī Śrīla Prabhupāda used to address him as a Vaikuntha Man as he came from Goloka Vrindāvana.

sri-guru karuna-sindhu, adhama janara bandhu,
lokanath lokera jivana
ha ha prabhu koro doya, deho more pada-chaya,
ebe jasha ghusuk tribhuvana

Translation

O spiritual master, O ocean of mercy and friend of the fallen! O universal teacher and life of all people! Be merciful unto us, O master, and give us the shade of your lotus feet. May your glories now be proclaimed throughout the three worlds. (Text 4, Sri Guru Vandana)

 Theme: An initiative taken by UNESCO

We have to propagate the name of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura throughout the three worlds. The UNESCO adopted the 150th Birth Anniversary of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Goswāmī Prabhupāda wherein they has passed a resolution of encouraging countries to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. India is the leading country amongst them. The resolution states that he was a philosopher, social reformer and eminent spiritual leader. This resolution was supported by India, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Russian federation, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. India took the leadership one or two weeks ago of passing the resolution and in Bharat Mandapam IECC (Convention center in New Delhi), in a special conference of Gaudīya Vaiśnavās, the 150th birth anniversary of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura has been celebrated which was addressed and covered by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. He glorified Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura in that conference. We are celebrating this occasion in Mayapur and every temple and center of Iskcon. It will also be celebrated in One Times Square, New York.

The appearance day of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura was celebrated in Mumbai in 1974 which was witnessed by Śrīla Prabhupāda and HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj. Śrīla Prabupāda kept the picture of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura in his seat, offered him garland and himself seated in his lotus feet. He then addressed Hare Krishna Land brahmaćārīs and other exalted devotees. At the time of pushpanjali (offering flowers at the end), he directed HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj to recite the Mangalacharan.

Theme: Great contributions by BSST

Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura has been a great scholar and expert in vedas. He memorized the complete Bhagavata Gītā when he was only 6 years old. Therefore, he is known as “walking encyclopaedia”. His mind was his library. He was a scholar in Sanskrit. He used to teach Sanskrit to the king of Tripura. He has written commentary on the Caitanya Bhāgavata, which is also known as Gaudiya Bhashya, on Caitanya Caritāmrta, and also did transliteration of complete Bhāgavata in Bengali language. He wrote many essays, compiled more than 100 scriptures. This is a legacy that he has left behind for the whole world. And with this, he made all of us wealthy. We should propagate the glories of the Lord and His scriptures.

Theme: BSST, a great visionary

He in fact also wanted a daily newspaper to get published about the Lord’s name, form, qualities and pastimes. He emphasized on such publications regardless of his follower’s beliefs for publishing Krsna conscious news daily. He was establishing the printing press for publishing scriptures along with the establishment of deities in the temples. He called the printing press “Brhad-Mrdanga”. If you play mrdanga or kartāla, the sound of such mrdanga can be vibrated in the neighboring quarter or maybe people can hear from a few yards. But the vibrations of the kīrtana from the scriptures will go far, far away. That’s why the printing press is known as Brhad-Mrdanga. Brhat means bigger, at large, bigger mrdanga. Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura instructed Śrīla Prabhupāda on the banks of Radha Kunda, “if you get money, print books.” Śrīla Prabhupāda took that instruction very seriously and established Iskcon press in Iskcon Boston and then Bhaktīvedānta Book Trust in disciplic succession. Prabhupāda also used to say, “Books are the basis and preaching is an essence.” Books are the basis for our Krsna conscious movement and book distribution is preaching. Therefore, to please Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura, Śrīla Prabhupāda increased book printing and book distribution. Hence, we should also engage ourselves more and more in book distribution if we want to please Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura and Śrīla Prabhupāda.

All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda transcendental book distribution!
Yadi Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura na Hoito tabe ki hoito
(e)jivana bahita kise?

If Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura had not come, what would have happened? Nothing would have happened. We would not be here together. We would not know about Śrī Mayapur Dham and Caitanya Mahāprabhu except some Bengalis. The glories of Harināma also would be limited to India, Mayapur, Radha Kunda or Jagannātha Puri. But because of the mercy of Lord Jagannātha, we had Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. The year in which Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura took birth, Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura had started distributing his small books like life and precepts of Caitanya Mahāprabhu around the world. Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura and Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura had known about the prediction of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra hoibe mora nāma

Translation

As many towns and villages are there on the surface of the globe, Lord Caitanya says, “everywhere people will know My name.” (Caitanya Bhāgavata, Antya-khanda 4.126)

Theme: Spreading the Caitanya cult

Everyone was concerned as according to the prediction of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His name will be known in every town and village of the world; but this was not happening. Then Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura found a solution when he met Śrīla Prabhupāda in the conference at Ultadanga junction road in Kolkata. He asked Prabhupāda to propagate the Caitanya cult around the globe in English language. That time Śrīla Prabhupāda and some others were associated with the movement of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters to make the country independent. But there was only one person in the whole conference, Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura, whose opinion was not to wait as preaching of Krsna consciousness was very urgent. He was not ready to wait for any other political party to come to preach Krsna consciousness. With this, Prabhupāda’s thought of joining the Independence movement of Mahatma Gandhi had gone away in that conference. Therefore, we can say that Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura defeated Prabhupāda and everyone else. Thereafter, Śrīla Prabhupāda accepted Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura as his spiritual master. He mostly engaged himself in the service of following instructions of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. One day Śrīla Prabhupāda said that he got physical association of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura for only 10-12 days. He was only engaged in the service of following instructions of his spiritual master for the rest of the days. When Śrīla Prabhupāda was establishing headquarters in Mayapur, he used to visit Mayapur Chandrodaya temple. There is a samadhi temple of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura on the way to the temple. The godbrothers of Śrīla Prabhupāda used to criticize him for not stopping by at the samadhi temple of his spiritual master. He straight away goes to his temple. On such criticisms, Prabhupāda used to react by saying that Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura is always next to him and he always follows his instructions strictly. So, Prabhupāda served Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura by following his instructions.

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

Translation

Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious. (Text 1, Sri Sri Shikshashtaka)

Whatever fame Prabhupāda got by spreading Krsna consciousness, he always gave credit to Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura and offered all this fame on his spiritual master’s lotus feet. Once, one of the godbrothers of Śrīla Prabhupāda asked him the difference between him and other disciples of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. Both of them have received the same knowledge, both of them have known the English language and both went to foreign countries to propagate Krsna consciousness. But why is it that only Śrīla Prabhupāda got fame and not others. To answer this, Śrīla Prabhupāda would say that his faith on the prediction of Gaurānga Mahāprabhu and on the instructions of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura to propagate Krsna consciousness all over the world were matchless. That made all the difference.

Śrīla Prabhupāda organized the Gaura Purnima festival for the first time in the year 1972 in which only 50-60 devotees were present and most of them were foreigners. With this, Śrīla Prabhupāda proved that those countries have received the Harināma whose countrymen were present in the festival and that the prediction of Caitanya Mahāprabhu is coming true. He would give all this credit to Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura. Śrīla Prabhupāda always addressed his spiritual master as “My Gurumaharj.” That is the reason I gave the name “My Prabhupāda” to the book of mine which compiles all my offerings to Śrīla Prabhupāda on his vyāsa puja.

All glories to Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura!

You all can hear more glories about Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura and can also read his biography. Śrīla Bhaktī Vikāsa Swamī Maharāj also compiled his biography named “Bhakti Siddhant Vaibhav” in three volumes after various research. You can also read that.

Gaura premanande hari hari bol!

All glories to the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura!

Hari Bol!

Date: 28 February 2024
Speaker: HG Mahaman Prabhu Ji
Topic: Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada 150th Appearance day
HG Mahaman Prabhu Ji:

I am very happy to HH Lokanath Swami and a big congregation of 3000 devotees, all are chanting the Holyname happily. In Chaitanya Charitamrita, Srila Prabhupada wrote in the purports that the most important instruction of spiritual master is chanting. We should not neglect other instruction also. But the chanting of the Holyname is the most important in all.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Pranati:
Nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
Srimate bhaktisiddhanta-sarasvatiti namine

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

Sri-varshabhanavi-devi-dayitaya kripabdhaye
Krishna-sambandha-vijnana-dayine prabhave namah

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Varshabhanavi-devidayita dasa [another name of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati], who is favored by Srimati Rad harani and who is the ocean of transcendental mercy and the deliverer of the science of Krishna.

Madhuryojjvala-premadhya-sri-rupanuga-bhaktida
Sri-gaura-karuna-sakti-vigrahaya namo ’stu te

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, the personified energy of Sri Caitanya’s mercy, who deliver devotional service which is enriched with conjugal love of Radha and Krishna, coming exactly in the line of revelation of Srila Rupa Gosvami.

Namas te gaura-vani-sri-murtaye dina-tarine
Rupanuga-viruddhapasiddhanta-dhvanta-harine

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances unto you, who are the personified teachings of Lord Caitanya. You are the deliverer of the fallen souls. You do not tolerate any statement which is against the teachings of devotional service enunciated by Srila Rupa Gosvami.

Tomorrow will be the 150th appearance day of Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur. So, we will discuss some pastimes of Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur.

We will start from the Pranam Mantra of Srila Prabhupada. Many devotees recite the mantra with wrong pronunciation. The pranam mantra contain:

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale,
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine.
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine,
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritukindly preaching the message of Lord Chaityanya Mahaprabhu and delivering the western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

The mantra has ‘Sarasvate’ in it. But many devotees pronounce it as ‘Sarasvati’. We should be careful while recite the mantra.Once devotees ask Srila Prabhupada to say some words for Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati thakur. Srila Prabhupada Said that what I can say about him! My spiritual master was a Vaikuntha man. Our Acharyas accept that he has establish the ray of Vishnu and he is also known as Singh Guru.

UNESCO which is a worldwide organization, which is a body that recognise the scientific and educational events in over 200 countries. It is starts from 1948. UNESCO has declared and celebrated this year in honor of Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur. We don’t need such recognition, as he himself has the mercy of Srimati Radha Rani. Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur was a Singh Guru. But his heart was as soft as butter. Mayavadis used to change their path on seeing him. Srila Prabhupada also told that we should have the courage like British soldier but our heart should be like Bengali Mother. Then we can do preaching.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur is a Manjari in the pastime of Goloka Vrindavan. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur is Kamal Manjari and Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur is Nayan Manjari.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur has many divine activities in his life. When he was born, the nurse said she had never seen such a birth.
He was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around like a brahmin thread. Once, on the occasion of Jaganath rath Yatra. Chariot stops in front of the house of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur. When the wife of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur brings her son in front of the deities, one garland of Jagannath falls in the neck of her son. His Annaprasan samskara was also done in the Ratha yatra. Srila Bhakti Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur identify his son that he is the one for whom he has demanded from the lord to propagate the teaching of the Lord.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur was seeing that the teachings of Lord Chaitanya are getting lost so he wanted a child who could preach the movement worldwide. So, his prayers were answered by the birth of this boy who was named Bimala Prasad.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has chosen three personalities to propagate his mission. First one was Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur.

Srila Bhakti vinod Thakura had sent out his first publication – the life and precepts of Lord Chaitanya, to the west in the year 1896, which is also the birth year of Srila Prabhupada. The passcode of this meeting is also 1896. He has opens up Naamhatta all over India. He has written many books like Jaiva Dharma, Kalyan, Kalpataru, Sri Krishna Samhita.

He has also written many bhajans. We sing Gaura Aarti, Rajbhoga Aarti, Jay Radha Madhava, Prasad Honouring Prayers, all are written by Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur. His son went on to open more than 64 maths or temples in India. He even sent disciples to preach in west. He was very dynamic. Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Goswami wrote in glorifying Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati in eight verses:

sujanarbuda-radhita-pada-yugam
yuga-dharma-dhurandhara-patra-varam
varadabhaya-dayaka-pujya-padam
pranamami sada prabhupada-padam

Translation:

1) His lotus feet are served in devotion by multitudes of high, virtuous souls; he is the establi sher of the religion of the age (as Sri Krsnasan kirtana); he is the presiding monarch (of the Visva Vaisnava-Raja-Sabha – the universal society of the pure devotees that are the true ‘kings’ or guides of all); and he is the fulfiller of the most cherished desires of those who dispel fear (for all souls). I make my obeisance unto the lotus feet of that illustrious great soul, worshippable by one and all – perpetually do I make my obeisance unto the radiance emanating from the toenails of the holy feet of my Lord.

Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur was very please with this wonderful composition that he ordered it to be sung daily in the Gaudiya math.
He was also very pleased with Srila Prabhupada’s writing and had given a standing order to his press that whenever Abhay Babu writes anything print it in our magazines.

One time when he was a kid of 5 years, His father brings mangoes.
He ate a mango without offering it to the lord. His father teaches him that we should not eat anything without offering. Boy, Vimala Prasad feels so bad that for the rest of the life he never ate a single mango thinking of himself as an offender.

He taught by his example like this.
Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur was very strict about deity worship. He has the deities of Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari. He very respectful towards all the 4 sampradaya. He takes some process of initiation and deity worship from the sampradaya of Ramanujacharya. On one festival time the storm came and the tent blew and it hit ye canopy of Sri Ramanujac harya’s temple. He said that there is some offense happening against deities. On investigation, they found out one Pujari was writing a love letter to his lover in the deity room. That devotee was removed from his service. One another time one devotee was removed from the temple for having illicit relations when he came to hear this, he said he is very hardworking. Is there anyone who has not commit any mistake in their life! It takes gallons and gallons of blood to make one devotee
and you have removed him without giving him a chance. Now he will never come back. I am very unpleased and can’t open the temple.

So, the devotees went in search from him and found him working in a watch repair shop. He started crying on hearing that Spiritual Master had asked for him. He returned and asked for forgiveness. In Kaliyuga, all are fallen.
We could see his compassion.

He would say without proper behavior even preaching becomes material service. Once he was preaching to the high and elite class. His English was so good that even Britishers could not understand. So, Abhay would always hear even if he didn’t understand. Seeing this, Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati was very please by his eagerness to hear. On the time of initiation, He said that I have seen Abhay, he hears with eagerness.
One time class was going on and a few Sanyasis got up and went down for Arati.

When they came back, he told them you didn’t go for Darshan but to just do eye exercise. Real seeing is by hearing. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur was a magistrate himself and Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur also start exhibition in elite class of people.
Once a freedom fighter came Subhash Chandra Bose in an exhibition.

He said you trying to do this exhibition but there is going to be flood why you don’t postpone. You can do some other activities. He said you are worried about this little flood. What about the material ocean? We are giving them the knowledge that they don’t get entangled in the cycle of birth and death. Once while driving in a car a goat died in the accident. He was very sad that a resident of dhama was killed so he fasted for 3 days. He did not even take water.

Once He took a pledge to chant 1 billion Holy names which he did in 9 years in Mayapur. Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur Ji’s diksha pastime is very extraordinary. Srila Bhakti vinod Thakura advised bimal prasad to take diksha from Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji. He is well qualified to be your Spiritual Master. When he came to take diksha Gaura Kishora das Babaji, who was a bhajan Anandi and he denied seeing Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur as being very highly educated.

Upon insisting he said I’ll ask Gauranga mahaprabhu and if he says I’ll give you initiation. When he came back next day, he told he forget to ask. Vimala Prasad said if you will not accept me as your disciple then I will take my life by jumping in the river Ganges.

Later seeing the adamant nature of Srila Bimala Prasad, he was please and gave home the na me Sri Varshabhanavi Daitaya Das.
Upon the passing away of Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji, some Sanyasis came said we are the rightful people to give samadhi to him.
Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati said I’m the only disciple of HDG Gaura Kishora Das Babaji.

I am not a sanyasi but I’m a celibate monk.
Is there anyone here who has not indulged in illicit activities in the last year? Only they
can touch my Spiritual Master. Nobody came forward.

Is there anyone here who has not indulged in illicit activities in the past one month… one week….one night? Only they can touch my Spiritual Master. Nobody came forward. Finally, Gaura Kishora Das Babaji Maharaji’s samadhi was done by Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati which later was moved to the present day Gaudiya math due to flood. The Samadhi is in Vrajpatanam where Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur take 1 billion Holy Name. He always gives respect to his Spiritual Master and follow his instructions.

When Srila Prabhupada first came in America, it was very difficult especially in the first year. He had $200 from distributing books, which was finished in 1 month’s rent. He didn’t have anything for next month. But he had great faith in his Spiritual Master.
Everyday he would go the Scindia company dock office to inquire when will the next boat leave for India. Once the clerk asked you always come and ask but you never go. Srila Prabhupada stayed only trusting his Spiritual Master’s mercy.

Guru Prasad Balwan
Na Tasmat Balwattaram

Means the mercy of Spiritual Master is the strongest. Nothing is more stronger than this. Latter when the movement was flouriahing he gave all the credit Spiritual Master. Srila Prabhupada Said that the grandparents are more loving than the father. Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur is our grandfather Spiritual Master.

So, we should pray for his mercy.

In one lecture, Srila Prabhupada said that my spiritual master is so strict that he instructs everyone to chant 64 rounds daily. He gave entry in Golok Dham from front gate. But I have given you the instruction of chanting 16 rounds every day. I have open up the back door for all of you. Chant sincerely and I will be there at the backdoor to receive you.
Now I will stop here. Hare Krishna!

Date: 27 February 2024
Speaker: HH Nav Yogendra Swami Maharaj
Topic: Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada 150th Appearance day
HH Nav Yogendra Swami Maharaj:

Welcome and thank you all. Today is the 27th and the 29th is the appearance day of our grandfather Spiritual Master and Spiritual Master of Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada.

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur appeared on 6 February 1874, at the house of Bhakti Vinod Thakur in Sri Kshetra. In his childhood itself, he quickly became a scholar of the Vedas. He had memorized the Bhagavad Gita and enjoyed his father’s philosophical works. Due to
his extensive knowledge, he became famous as the walking encyclopedia of knowledge. He preached against casteism and philosophical deviation with Gaudiya Vaishnavism. There is no casteism in Kaliyuga. Krishna has said in Geeta.

BG 4.13:
cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ
guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ
tasya kartāram api māṁ
viddhy akartāram avyayam

Translation:

According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the nondoer, being unchangeable. If someone is born in a Brahmin family, he does not become a Brahmin, he becomes a Brahmin by his qualities and actions. He pacified the disturbance created by people who became Brahmins from such caste. He published the teachings of all four Vaishnav sects and tried to merge them. He was named Singh Guru because of his bold speech on Vaishnav principles. It also takes courage to speak the truth. To avoid facing Singh Guru, the Mayavadis used to run away from him.

Apart from being a courageous preacher, he was adorned with all divine qualities and was full of love for Krishna. He established 64 Gaudiya Mathas in India. He also established centers in Burma, England and Germany. Despite the fierce resistance of the greedy Goswami class, he revealed the wealth of Navdeep, the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in Sri Dham Mayapur, published by his father. He built a beautiful temple there. He had printing press located in Madras, Calcutta and Krishna Nagar, which are called Brihad Mridanga. He used to publish a small number of magazines and newspapers to propagate the message of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

When he was questioned why he was publishing a daily newspaper named Nadiya Prakashan. So, his answer was that if an insignificant town can publish five newspapers, then why can’t we publish one newspaper everyday about the continuous, ever-new, transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord in the infinite Goloka Vrindavan Dham. In addition to his father’s writings, he published many authentic scriptures, including Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Bhagavata, Chaitanya Mangal, Prem Bhakti Chandrika, and his favorite book was Chaitanya Charitamrita. He predicted that foreigners would learn the Bengali language after tasting the nectar of Chaitanya Charitamrita written by Sri Krishna Das Kaviraj.

He made new changes to increase the preaching. Throughout India he directed the pastimes of Shri Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, organized deities and other religious exhibitions free of charge. With the help of modern craftsmanship, he also demonstrated moving
puppets. Wherever Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes took place, he got the footprints of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inscribed on the marble. Going against tradition, he ordered his monks to wear tailored kurtas and overcoats, and to travel by car. He ordered to propagate the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu across the sea.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur made great efforts to spread the message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu throughout the world. He gave the same order to his son also. He sent many devotees to preach abroad, but they were not successful. Prabhupada had a godbrother, Mr. Malik, who used to listen to the teachings of Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura and asked Prabhupada to go there. They took Prabhupada to the center at Ultadanga. When Prabhupada heard him, Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur recognized him at the very first meeting. In the very first meeting in 1922, he said that you are an educated young man, why don’t you propagate Krishna consciousness in English speaking countries. Srila Prabhupada followed the orders of his Spiritual master. He took initiation and spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. The revolutionary teachings and ideas of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura were the classical principles of renunciation propounded by Srila Rupa Goswami. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura, being an eternally liberated soul, knew how to use Maya in the service of Krishna. Following the footsteps of Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur, he propagated Divine Varnashrama to provide social harmony and contentment. Supporting the teachings of Srila
Rupa Goswami and Raghunath Das Goswami, he preached the knowledge of devotion and enlightened thousands of people on how to attain the pure love of Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari.

Apart from the miraculous success of his preaching work in India, his greatest contribution is that of his disciple AC Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada, to whom he gave direction and inspired to spread Krishna Consciousness across the world. When Prabhupada was asked to
draw a picture of his Spiritual Master, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura, he said what can I say, he is a resident of Vaikuntha. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur is serving the lord as Nayan Manjari in the daily leela of Radha Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan. His floral
samadhi is in Radha Kund and Radha Damodar temple.

Let me narrate to you some incidents from the life of Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur. When he was a child, he ate the mangoes kept in the house. His father Bhakti Vinod Thakur said that these mangoes were kept to offer to God. He was still a child but he felt so bad that he ate the mango without offering it to God. For this reason, he did not eat mangoes throughout his life. He was a celibate by birth. They were so learned that there was no comparison to them.

When he appeared in Jagannath Puri, his father Bhakti Vinod Thakur was the manager of the Jagannath temple. When the Yatra of Lord Jagannath took place, the chariot automatically stopped in front of the house of Bhakti Vinod Thakur. Bhakti Vinod Thakur’s wife took her son
and placed him in front of the original deities of Lord Jagannath. Then, the garland of Jagannath fell on his son. Thus, he received the blessings of Lord. He did many things. He built 64 Gaudiya Mathas across India where devotion is taught according to our sect. Our Gaudiya sect is special. Four sects are authentic: Brahma Sampradaya, Sri Sampradaya, Kumar Sampradaya and Rudra Sampradaya. These are four authentic sects by following which a living being can attain devotion. But this Brahma Madhva Gaudiya sect is special. Its specialty is that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu chose this sect. Lord appeared in this sect. He taught how the soul would be saved.

CC Antya 7.11:

kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana

Translation:

The fundamental religious system in the Age of Kali is the chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Unless empowered by Kṛṣṇa, one cannot propagate the saṅkīrtana movement. Naren Malik used to go to listen to the sermons of Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur. He asked his friend Abhay to accompany him. Abhay means fearless. Malik told Abhay that there is a saint here who gives very good sermons. He took them by force. Abhay Charan listened to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur very attentively. Both of them had recognized each other.

In the very first meeting in 1922, Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur told Abhay Charan that you are an educated young man, why don’t you preach the nectar of Krishna consciousness in English language. Srila Prabhupada started engaged in this work from 1922 onwards. He wrote many divine books which are changing the lives of people today after reading them. Why did our Acharya ask us to preach in English speaking countries? Because the British have greatly influenced all of us. The British ruled here for 200 years. We are forgetting our culture and the English language is creeping into us. English is the gateway to hell. Prabhupada said that the British had caused great damage to our culture. Muslims also ruled us for 800 years. They used to convert people into Muslims by biting them. They have also damaged our culture. But the British have caused more damage. Saw the greatness of Prabhupada that he engaged those English people in devotion. People who had never even heard the name of God are engaged in devotion today. We have 15 to 20 temples in England. All this propaganda has been done by our Spiritual Master. Our grandfather SpiritualMaster had given him this instruction in 1922.

We should learn from the lives of saints. He has a hymn. This hymn is very long but I will recite only a few lines for you.

Vaishnava Song, duṣṭa mana! tumi kisera vaiṣṇava:

(1)
duṣṭa mana! tumi kisera vaiṣṇava?
pratiṣṭhāra tare, nirjanera ghare,
tava ‘ari nāma” kevala ‘kaitava”
(2)
jaḍera pratiṣṭhā, śukarer viṣṭhā,
jāna nā ki tāhā ‘māyāra vaibhava”
kanaka-kāminī, divasa-yāminī
bhāviyā ki kāja, anitya se saba
(3)
tomāra kanaka, bhogera janaka,
kanakera dvāre sevaha ‘mādhava”
kaminīra kāma, nahe tava dhāma
tāhāra–mālika kevala ‘yādava”

Translation:

1) O wicked mind! What kind of Vaisnava do you think you are? Your pretentious show of chanting Lord Hari’s holy name in a solitary place is only for the sake of attaining the false prestige of a worldly reputation — it is nothing but pure hypocrisy.

2) Such materialistic prestige is as disgusting as the stool of a hog. Do you not know that it is only a mere illusion cast by the potency of Maya? What is the value of contemplating day and night your plans for enjoying wealth and women? All these things are only temporary.

3) When you claim wealth as your own, it creates in you ever-increasing desires for material enjoyment. Your riches should be used for serving Madhava, the Lord of all wealth. Neither is it your proper place to indulge in lust for women, whose only true proprietor is Lord Yadava.
There is a lot of lesson for us in this hymn. We show people that we are doing very good devotional practices. This pretence is hypocrisy. Devotees should not pretend to be devotional. This is just pure hypocrisy. When we take Holyname, we should do it for our own welfare, not to show it to people. Such materialistic pride is as disgusting as pig’s feces. To be proud like this means that Maya is trapping us. Pigs eat feces and their feces are even more disgusting. We don’t want respect. If someone is more interested in honour and respect than attaining Lord, then he cannot attain Lord.

What is the importance of thinking and meditating on the plans made for wealth and enjoyment of women? We think about this day and night. These are obstacles in the path of attaining Lord. There is no benefit from this. All these things are only temporary. The soul is permanent and devotion is also permanent. Devotion to Lord never perishes. The soul is imperishable and devotion to Lord is also imperishable. We often fall into the trap of honour and wealth and everything gets destroyed. When we claim our rights over wealth, then this wealth motivates us to enjoy material pleasures. Many of our desires arise. Lord has also said in Geeta:

BG 5.29:
bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

Translation:

A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. We are neither the owner nor the enjoyer. The feeling of enjoyment within us is the cause of bondage and the door to hell. Only by progressing in the path of devotion, the desires for material enjoyment end. There are many divine teachings in this divine hymn.

Great Vaishnavas come only for the salvation of other people. Vaishnavas feel sad seeing others sad. Just like our Spiritual Master, Sri Prabhupada, similarly his Spiritual Master is Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada, he too used to get sad seeing others sad. How
much effort he has made to alleviate our suffering. He has opened Gaudiya Math centres. He has published many books and delivered those books to the people. We have to take care that we do not become egoistic. Don’t be egoistic. An egoistic creature goes mad. We have
to avoid ego and bring humility. Humility comes from chanting Lord with a humble attitude.
By the grace of Vaishnavas, humility will develop within us.
Hare Krishna!

26 February 2024
Speaker : H.G.Sunder Chaitanya Goswami   maharaj.

Hare Krishna

Once again I would like to express my joy to join the devotees. I thank Gurumaharaj for giving me the opportunity to speak on the day of ras Yatra. We had such a wonderful program yesterday: kirtan mela and pushpa abhishek – so sublime ! So wonderful !

Jai Shri Radha Govind dev ki Jai !

Theme : Ras dance of Krsna is under yogmaya

Actually in  Bhagwat it is mentioned that Ras dance took place during the full moon. At the age of seven Krsna lifted Govardhan hill and this Ras dance happened at the age of eight. Krsna saw this full moon at night and there were many many flowers blooming. So Krsna remembered the prayers of the Gopis to Goddess Katyayani. Gopis pray to the goddess Katyayani – they pray for Krsna to become their husband. And this full moon night was just suitable for the Ras dance. The Gopis had a strong desire to fulfill their desire on that full moon night. The sun rays are not soft because they cause burning sensation and it’s not also very romantic. Moon rays are very very cool and night lotuses also blossom. Prabhupada said that blossoming of flowers is a sign of joy. When the Lord saw the moon it reminded Him of Laxmiji and  Radharani. Moon actually illuminates the forest and it takes away the sorrow. Because the soft rays meeting is actually very suitable. And the blue lotuses open only during the moonlight. Even if you bring the many spotlights to open the blue lotuses , they will not open. The forest is very dangerous. There are many many dangerous animals in the forest. But this forest is not like that. It is different for us.

Theme : Difference between materialistic lust and transcendental love for Krsna

In Bhagwat it is mentioned that Krsna has no desire because He is always fulfilled with six opulences. But  still He wanted to  enjoy  the Ras dance with Gopis. This signifies that this dance is not like the ordinary  dance of young boys and young girls. It is mentioned in the Bahgwatam that this dance is on the platform of yogmaya and it is not controlled by Mahamaya. Dancing of young boys and young girls in the materialistic world is in the kingdom of Mahamaya – the external energy of the Lord. And the Ras dance of Krsna is on the platform of yogmaya.

The difference between the platform of yogmaya and Mahamaya is explained in Chaitanya Charitamrita as that is the difference between gold and iron. Gold and iron are both metals but the qualities are completely different. Similarly ras dance of the Gopis  in the association of Krsna is like mixing of young boys and girls but the qualities are different. Difference is appreciated by great vaishnavas because they know the difference between love for Krsna and lust.

On the platform of Mahamaya the dances take place for the satisfaction of self.    But when Krsna called the Gopis by playing the flute , they very desperately rushed to the place of Ras dance to satisfy Krsna. Krsna Kaviraj Goswami explained that lust means sense gratification but love also means sense gratification but for Krsna. One activity is on the material platform and it is on the platform of sense gratification and it is called material activity. But material activities that are activated for Krsna then are called spiritual activities.  Prabhupada said on any platform  of  activities the principle of sense gratification is there but on a spiritual platform the sense gratification is for Krsna and whereas on the material platform it is for the performer. Prabhupada gave the example  of a material platform where one  is serving the master so he is not  trying to satisfy the senses of his master but rather he tries to satisfy his own senses. Prabhupada said if the servant would not serve the master his payment would be stopped. That means the servant engages himself in the service of the master to satisfy his own senses. Again on the spiritual platform Krsna is served without payment. And one continues the service in all conditions. That is the difference between Krsna consciousness and the materialistic platform.

Theme : what is parkiya bhav

Krsna was around eight years old at that time. During that time many of the Gopis were married. Because in India, especially in those days, girls were married at a very very early age. The Gopis were continuously in the hope that Krsna would one day be their husband. So their attitude towards Krsna was parkiya bhav. This parkiya ras is like a married man who desires another’s wife or wife desires another’s husband is called parkiya ras. But Krsna is the husband of all living entities and He is  supreme enjoyer. The Gopis wanted Krsna to be their husband. Actually there was no possibility of marrying all the Gopis. Because Gopis had a natural tendency to accept Krsna as their supreme husband. So that’s why this relationship is called parkiya. This parkiya ras is ever existing in Goloka Vrindavan. But in the materialistic world it is considered bad. But in the spiritual world it is present in the super excellent relationship between Krsna and Gopis. As we know There are many relation with Krsna : master and servant , son , friend and friend , parental and beloved and beloved so of all these rasas the parkiya ras is the topmost in the spiritual world.srila Prabhupada explained that Because this material world is a perverted  reflection of the spiritual world just like the reflection of a tree on the bank of the water , so the top most part of the  tree is seen as the lowest part. Similarly the parkiya bhav is the top most bhav of the spiritual world but it is seen as the degraded bhav in the materialistic world. When people try to imitate this Ras dance of Krsna they go with perverted  reflection or the vulnerable reflection of the parkiya ras. There is no possibility of enjoying this parkiya ras in this material world. So one should not imitate this parkiya even in a dream or imagination. So those who are doing so , are actually drinking poison.

Theme : First dialogue between Krsna and Gopis on the Ras dance night

Moon is blooming and it is increasing Krsna’s desire. and the forest is also filled with fragrant flowers. The atmosphere was cooling and festive. So at once Krsna blew His flute so the Gopis of whole Vrindavan became mad  and their attraction to the vibrations of the flute increased 1000 times due to the rising full moon. All the Gopis by nature were very attracted to Krsna’s beauty but when they heard the vibration of the flute they became apparently very very lust full and to satisfy the senses of Krsna. They all left their respective service or engagements and they proceeded to the spot from where the flute was blowing. And they rushed swiftly. Prabhupada explained that their earrings were swinging back and forth. Some of them were engaged in milking the cows and they left the cows half finished and they went to Krsna.

They did not care whether the milk was boiling or spilling , they immediately left to see Krsna. Some of them were also breastfeeding their small children, some were engaged in distributing food to the family but they immediately left everything. They left engagement and went to Sri Krsna. Some were serving the husband or they were eating but they were neither worried for   the husband or their own food. They immediately left. Some were decorating their faces with cosmetics and they just left everything and left. And some of them had their faces decorated half and they put their clothes upside down they just left. They were so attracted to Krsna that they just went to Krsna. Prabhupada added that Krsna consciousness is so powerful that it gives relief to everyone from all materialistic activities. Roop Goswami has also very nicely written that one gopi advising to the other gopi “ my dear friend if you desire to enjoy material friend companionship then please do not go to see that smiling boy Govinda , who is standing on the bank of Yamuna. Srila Prabhupada again explains that one who is deviated by the beautiful smiling face of Krsna. He has lost all attraction for material enjoyment. This is the taste of transcendental Krsna consciousness.

Prabhupada said if a person is advancing in Krsna consciousness then he must lose interest in material activities and personal sense gratification. Some of the Gopis were detained from going to Krsna by their husbands; they were locked up by force within their rooms. So being unable to go to see Krsna they began to meditate upon Krsna by closing their eyes. So the Gopis that could not go were actually meditating on Him as perfect yogis. This is what also Maharaj Parishit heard from Sukhdev Goswami explaining the situation of Gopis in Krsna raas dance. There is also a question in Bhagwatam the Gopis by their lusty desires they were able to attain perfection just like perfection by Kansa was remembering Him continuously due to fear , shishupal by envy , the yadus by family relationships and Pandavas by great affection for Krsna and general devotees by devotion so they have attained the love for Krsna. And while the Gopis have come Krsna asks them to go back home.

The Gopis were disturbed and angry to hear the advice of Krsna to go back home. As  their  attention was distracted and they were looking at the beauty of the forest. At that time the forest was illuminated by a bright shining moon. Their attention was diverted and they were looking at the forest.  Then Krsna took this opportunity of the Gopis looking  at the forest. He advised them that I think you have come out to look at the beautiful forest of the Vrindavan. I think you are now satisfied so now you must return home without delay. You must have left your crying babies at home. They must be crying by now. Please immediately go back. And just breastfeed them. I can understand that you have very affection for Me but you have come here to hear my flute. Prabhupada said Krsna said “ you are feeling affection for me is very very appropriate because I am the supreme Lord. This affection for Me is very much welcome and I congratulate you today for that but now you can go home. And a married woman should not be searching for a parkiya because this is not sanctioned in Vedic scriptures. If you think that you are very much attached to Me and you want My association then I advise you not to be very personally try to enjoy it.

So it is better to go home and simply talk about Me and think about Me. Because this is the process by constantly talking about Me and remembering Me and chanting My name then you will surely be elevated to a spiritual platform. At this point Gopis were shading tears and these heavy tears were washing up the cosmetic decoration from theirt faces and they said “ oh dear Krsna ! You are the supreme god and there is no doubt about it. You are the eternal husband , eternal friend and eternal master. One who enters in this relationship with You is eternally happy. Finally Prabhupada explained that Krsna has already explained in Bhagwat Geeta that He is supreme enjoyer. He is the only proprietor and only friend.

Jai ! Shri Radha Govind ki Jai !

Srila Prabhupada ki jai !

Gaur Premanande Hari Hari!

Thank you !

25 February 2024
Chanting of the holy name

Speaker: HG Mukund datta prabhu

HG Padmamali prabhu: Hare Krsna. Today we have HG Mukund datta prabhu to deliver today’s japa talk. He is a very senior and dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He is famous for his melodious Kirtans and nectarine Kathas. He is in ISKCON Noida Temple to give his holy association on the occasion of 10th anniversary of ISKCON Noida. He is also going to lead the kirtan at ISKCON Noida.

HG Mukund datta prabhu: Hare Krsna. I will talk about Harinaam (The Lord’s holy name). In Rupa Goswami Padyavali, there is a verse regarding Harinaam mahima in 8 verses.

Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19

kalyananam nidhanam kali-mala-mathanam pavanam pavananam
patheyam yan mumukshoh sapadi para-pada-praptaye procyamanam
visrama-sthanam ekam kavi-vara-vacasam jivanam saj-jananam
bijam dharma-drumasya prabhavatu bhavatam bhutaye krishna-nama

Translation: May Krsna’s holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness, the destruction of Kali-yuga’s sins, the most purifying of all purifying things, the saintly person’s food as he traverses the path to the spiritual world, the pleasure-garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play, the life of the righteous, and the seed of the tree of religion, bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.

It’s a benediction that Rupa Goswami gives to all of us. All of us are great souls but we require all the benedictions that we can get. By offering us benedictions to chant the holy name, he offers us. He says, kalyananam nithanam. Rupa goswami told us, sadhna bhakti destroys all the in-auspiciousness in our lives. Of course, the same applies to bhava and prema bhakti. But even just beginning bhakti with sadhna, it destroys all in-auspiciousness with chanting.

And the holy name is the active ingredient in everything auspicious. And it is kali matha mathanam (Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19). Harinaam prabhu is the destroyer of the in-auspiciousness and all the flaws. We all have three kinds of flaws – dravya, desha and atma sambhava dosha’s. In Kaliyuga there is dravya dosha. The second one is dirty environment.

In the morning when you chant japa, we see people riding bikes and making noise on the road. This is desha sambhava dosha. The environment is contaminated. The last one is atma sambhava dosha, its because of our karma. The Lord takes all these dosha’s away when he sees that we are trying to take harinaam seriously. He destroys all the flaws of Kali. Lord is in the form of Purushottam. Therefore we say, Pavanam pavananam(Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19).

To return to godhead, what ever we need Harinaam prabhu gives us. If I want to go to Mayapur, things that I need I will take in train and that is Pateyam. Rupa Goswami says, this is what you need to go back to Godhead. Harinaam prabhu makes it available. Kavi vara vachasam(Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19).

Harinam prabhu gives us these great scholars like – Vyasadev, Shukdeva Goswami, etc. Their final work is in holy name. In Bhagavad Gita we hear, the Kauravas given their lives to Duryodhana. And they lost their lives because of their choice. But this holy name is the better choice. Jivanam sajjananam (Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19).

One of my God brothers says, he chants from Mangala to Sringar aarti then at the time of Sringar aarti he doesn’t stop chanting. We should also try to practice this. Bijam dharmanasya (Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19). Holy name is the seed of this tree. Prabhavatu bhavatam bhutaye Krsna naam(Rupa Goswami Padyavali 19).

Rupa goswami says, may this holy name be Kalyan (auspicious) for all of you. In Vrindavan, they say Radhe radhe. But we say, chant Hare Krsna and be happy. We have less time so you meditate on this verse of Padyavali and let Harinaam prabhu bless you all.

• HG Prasanna Madhvi mataji asks, when we do harinaam japa our sadness goes away but I experience too much sadness and in-auspiciousness in my life. So will my miseries go away after chanting?
• Rupa goswami mentions in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, if you stack 100 Paan leaves then the needle goes once in those paan leaves. But its not so, it goes through 100^th leaf then 99^th leaf and so on. So it’s gradual. In the same way, our miseries are not immediately destroyed. They take sometime and you need to tolerate them. That’s why we study Bhagavad Gita. When your mind is completely disturbed then tolerate.

matra-sparsas tu kaunteya 
sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino ‘nityas
tams titiksasva bharata (BG 2.14)

Translation: O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

Q- HG Lalita nath prabhu asks, whatever you told about Harinaam but I don’t have any taste for Harinaam.

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, how to be a devotee.

Shikshashtakam 1

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

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

Disciple means discipline. If you are forcing yourself to chant then its not discipline. There should be discipline. Rupa goswami says about the six limbs of bhakti.

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

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

His instructions are golden and we follow them, then we get too much benefit. The first 5 or 6 verses are studied perfectly then we get good benefit. But if we don’t follow them there is not benefit.

mach-chittaḥ sarva-durgāṇi mat-prasādāt tariṣhyasi 
atha chet tvam ahankārān na śhroṣhyasi vinaṅkṣhyasi (BG 18.58)

Translation: If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.

If you are in false ego, then you are finished. From the beginning you have to hear everyday. This is a very important thing.

• Sukrit Bahu prabhu asks, we should chant after Mangala arti and then in Sringar arti, when I have to go to take darshan then what should I do, and I want to sit and chant at that time?
• Right mood is Nirantana japa (continuous chanting). There should not be any break in japa. When we get to that stage, after two hours we don’t want to stop japa then it’s the right sign. Mahaprabhu also said,

tṛṇād api su-nīcena
taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā māna-dena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ (CC Adi 17.31)

Translation: One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate (BG 9.14)

Translation: Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.

We should always chant. Thank you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hare Krsna!

24 February 2024 
Srila Narottam Das Thakur Appearance Day
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. All glories to Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates. Srila Narottam das thakur ki Jai. It’s the appearance day of Narottam das thakur today. We are fortunate as we are becoming Gaudiya vaishnavas. We are more fortunate.

Gauranga! Some have only Jesus, some have Mohommad and some Guru nanak but we have innumerous sons and associates of the Lord to follow in the footsteps of. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu descended, he descended with Vrindavan Vasis. The Lord doesn’t descend alone, he descends with his associates, the devotees of Vrindavan. In Dwaraka, the Lord is Purnata (complete) and in Mathura he is more complete but In Vrindavan he is Purnatam or Purushottam (most complete).

Narottam das thakur is Champaka manjiri who is in the group headed by Rupa Manjari in Krsna lila.

Once Mahaprabhu was in Kanai Natashala and he started calling out ‘Narottam! Narottam!’. Everyone was clueless, because Narottam Das thakur had not yet appeared. Mahaprabhu was about to disappear but before that he announced that Narottam das thakur is going to appear. The place where Mahaprabhu announced this is Khechuri gram on the banks of river Padmavati.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Purushottam and Narottam means highest among men. That place Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did Kirtan. This naam sankirtan is prem dhan. Mahaprabhu wanted to give this prem dhan to river Padmavati. And he told river Padmavati, that when Narottam will appear you give her this prem dhan. But she asked how will I know that Narottam das thakur has appeared. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, you would recognize him as when he would enter you, your water will start raising with high waves.

Narottam das thakur was born to the King Krsnananda datta. All these devotees descend from Goloka Vrindavan. By hearing Gaur and Nityananda’s katha, he became Gauranga’s. He was immediately attracted to them.

dekho ore bhai, tri-bhuvane nai,
emona doyala data
pasu pakhi jhure, pasana vidare,
suni’ janra guna-gatha (Sri Sri Gaura-Nityanander Daya 3)

Translation: My dear brother, just try and examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda. Their merciful qualities are so great that upon hearing them even birds and beasts cry and stones melt.

He was the son of the King but instead he was not having any attachment for worldly desires, he developed the mood of renunciation. These Katha’s can free one who is suffering.

vāsudeve bhagavati
bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ
janayaty āśu vairāgyaṁ
jñānaṁ ca yad ahaitukam (SB 1.2.7)

Translation: By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.

He thought, how can I leave Kheturi gram and go to Vrindavan and leave all worldly desires. He was only 12 years old and left for Vrindavan. Srila Madhvacharya was only 12 years old and took Sannyasa. Do you get such thoughts ever at such young age?

So once his father had gone out with his uncle and he went to river Padmavati for a bath. He reached near Padmavati river and Padmavati understood that this is Narottam. As soon as he entered, there was so much movement in the waters and huge waves started in the river. Padmavati understood and delivered the deposits of Krsna Prema to him and he became renunciated and knowledgeable and proceeded to Vrindavan.

He was barefoot and on the way he didn’t eat anything so his body became weak. Walking he fainted due to weakness and there a Brahmana appeared who was of Gaura Varna carrying milk and he wakes up Narottam. Narottam dranked that milk.

Vrindavan is not only gantavya sthan (destination) for Narottam das thakur but its for all of us. From where we all came, we need to go there. From his life we need to learn all this. You should study the life and teachings of the devotees. We should understand that we need to become like these devotees.

He was just a young boy. He was welcomed at Vrindavan dham. Jiva Goswami was in Vrindavan and othere Goswami’s had departed back to the spiritual abode. When Narottam Das thakur got to know this, he was disheartened. Narottam das thakur thought that he would meet Srila Rupa and Sanatan Goswami.

krishnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamritambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-kripa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau (Shad Goswami Ashtaka 1)

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krishna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe.

He composed the song of separation ‘Je anilo Prema dhana, karuna prachur’. He says I am so pained by the sorrow of separation that I feel like banging my head on rocks.

Swa Parsada Bhagavad Viraha 1

je ānilo prema-dhana koruṇā pracur
heno prabhu kothā gelā ācārya-ṭhākur

Translation: He who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy—where has such a personality as Srinivasa Acarya gone?

He has a series of songs name Prarthana. His songs are the essence of all scriptures. He wrote Prem bhakti chandrika. Srila Gaur kishor das babaji Maharaj told, is there anyone who wishes for Krsna Bhakti. If you have some money then buy series of songs of Narottam das thakur. Sing it and get Krsna prema.

yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa (CC Madhya 7.128)

Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.

Srila Prabhupada started Iskcon and he introduced the songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda thakur and Narottam das thakur. The whole world sings these songs – Gauranga bolite habe.

Gauranga Bolite Habe 1

gaurāńga’ bolite habe pulaka-śarīra
‘hari hari’ bolite nayane ba’ be nīra

Translation: When will that opportune moment come to me when there will be shivering of the body as soon as I chant Lord Gauranga’s name? And after the shivering, while chanting Hare Krishna, when will there be tears pouring down from my eyes?

When will I leave lust and sleep and when will I have the darshans of Vrindavan.

viṣaya chāriyā kabe śuddha ha ‘be mana
kabe hāma herabo śrī-bṛndābana (Gauranga Bolite Habe 3)

Translation: When my mind is completely purified, being freed from material anxieties and desires, then I shall be able to understand Vrindavana and the conjugal love of Radha and Krishna, and then my spiritual life will be successful.

mora ei abhilasha, vilasa kunje dio vasa
nayana heribo sada yugala-rupa-rashi (Sri Tulasi Kirtan 3)

My desire is that you will also give me a residence in the pleasure groves of Sri Vrindavana-dhama. Thus within my vision I will always behold the beautiful pastimes of Radha and Krishna.

He showed his Bhakti in his songs.

śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando muñi sāvadhāna mate
jāhāra prasāde bhāi, e bhava toriyā jāi,
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha’te (Guru Vandana 1)

Translation: The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.

śrī-guru karuṇā-sindhu, adhama janāra bandhu,
lokanāth lokera jīvana
hā hā prabhu koro doyā, deho more pada-chāyā,
ebe jaśa ghuṣuk tribhuvana (Guru Vandana 4)

Translation: Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.

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

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

kalindira kule keli-kadambera vana
ratana-bedira upara bosabo du’jana (Sakhi-vrinde Vijnapti 2)

Translation: In a forest of small kadamba trees on the bank of the Yamuna, I will seat the divine couple on a throne made of brilliant jewels.

He has a male form but he is Champaka manjiri. According to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s instruction we need to do bhakti in this way.

Caitanya-matta-manjusa
ramya kacid-upasana vrajavadhu-vargena ya kalpita

Translation: The ways of His worship maybe various but the one which was conceived by the circle of the damsels of Vrajadhāma is unsurpassable by any other devotee.

This is gopi bhava. Mahaprabhu has descended to give that to us. Unnat Ujjwal rasam. Narottam das thakur left this wealth whom we should accept and we should be wealthy and thankful. In Vrindavan, he took shiksha from Srila Jiva Goswami and he wanted to get initiated from Lokanath Goswami. But by his service, hiding he served Lokanath Goswami. So by observing his sincere service, Lokanath Goswami accepted Narottam das as his disciple.

He was the only disciple of Lokanath Goswami. Narottam das thakur ki Jai. If there is a moon then what’s the use of starts. The moon is enough. So Narottam Das thakur is that one disciple like a moon. Mahaprabhu instructed Lokanath Goswami, don’t leave Vrindavan but Lokanath Goswami instructed Narottam das to leave Vrindavan and go to Bengal for Preaching along with Shyamanand and Srinivas Acarya.

Srila Prabhupada sent me to Bengal for Preaching taking padayatra. He also named me Lokanath, so there is some connection. Haribol!

So well these 3 Acaryas left for Bengal after loading a cart full with books. On the way this cart was stolen and then retrieved.The King Bhir Hambir thought there is some wealth in the cart but there were spiritual books in that cart that were sent to Bengal for preaching. They reached Kheturi village, even I had been to that place.

Today is Maghi Purnima. After one month, there is Gaur Purnima. Narottam das thakur left his house on the day of Kartik Purnima. He arranged Gaur Purnima festival on a grand scale in Kheturi Gram. That time the leaving of Mahaprabhu was very recent, may be 40 to 50 years ago. All Gaudiya vaishnavas were present there including Jahnava Mata. Narottam das thakur started doing kirtan and after hearing that ecstatic kirtan, Pancha tattva appeared. They were dancing when Narottam das thakur was singing kirtan.

mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tisthami narada (Padma Puran)

Translation: O Narada, I am present wherever My devotees are chanting.

Everyone witnessed this. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityanand prabhu, Sri Gadadhar Pandit, Advaita Acarya and Srivas everyone appeared. I shall stop here now.

Hare Krsna.

Date: 23rd Feb 2024
Speaker: Srila Prabhupada
Theme: Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s appearance day lecture. (Bhuvanesvara, Feb 2, 1977)

So today, the appearance day of Nityānanda Prabhu… Nityānanda Prabhu is Baladeva, Baladeva-tattva.

vrajendra-nandana yei, śacī-suta haila sei,
balarāma haila nitāi

“Who was formerly the son of Nanda Mahārāja, He has appeared as the son of Śacīdevi.” [Verse 3 from Song ‘Hari Hari Bifale Janama’ by Narottama Dasa Thakura] Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mother’s name was Śacīdevi. So Kṛṣṇa… Kṛṣṇa is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and Balarāma is Nityānanda Prabhu. Now…

vrajendra-nandana yei, śacī-suta haila sei,
balarāma haila nitāi
So Balarāma… In the Vedic literature it is said,
näyam ätmä bala-hinena labhyo
na ca pramädät tapaso väpy alingät
etair upäyair yatate yas tu vidväms
tasyaisa ätmä visate brahma-dhäma

Translation- “One who is less strong, or one who has no support of the strength, then he cannot make any progress in spiritual self-realization.” [Mundaka Upanisad 3.2.4]

So bala means strength. Sometimes some rascal philosophers, they take it that bala means bodily strength. They propagate this philosophy that “Unless you are bodily stout and strong, you cannot achieve spiritual salvation. You must be very strong and stout and eat meat and fight, and then you’ll get next spiritual birth” No. This bala, this strength, is different. This is spiritual strength.

Sub-theme: Our material disease

The difficulty of the present situation is that actually we are moving on account of spiritual strength, but they have no information of the spiritual strength. They are thinking of material strength. That is expressed here, that

ahaṅkāre matta hoiyā, nitāi-pada pāsariyā,
asatyere satya kori māni

Translation- Being maddened after false prestige and identification with the body, one is thinking, oh, what is Nityananda? What can He do for me? I don’t care. The result is that he is accepting something false to be truth. [Verse 3 from Song ‘Nitai Pada Kamala’ by

NarottamaDasaThakura]
This is due to ahaṅkāra.
prakrteh kriyamänäni
gunaih karmäni sarvasah
ahankära-vimudhätmä
kartäham iti manyate

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

Those who are vimūḍha, especially rascal… Mūḍha, rascals, and vi means viśeṣa, viśeṣanam, particularly. Ahankara-vimudhātmā. The same thing which is spoken in the Bhagavad-gītā, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says the same thing in a plain Bengali language. Ahaṅkāre matta haiyā, nitāi-pada… By the spell of māyā-ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate — they are thinking that “We are independent. We can do whatever we like.” This is called ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā. Under false pretext, false prestige, everyone is thinking that “We are independent. We can find out the solution of the problems of life by material adjustment,” so on, so on. So that is our material disease. Ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā. Bewildered, they do not understand that the real strength is spiritual strength. We see daily, see daily that a very strong man, very powerful man, very good brain, very good scientist… So where is the strength? The strength is ātmā. As soon as the ātmā, or the soul, goes out of this body, so intelligent, so strong, and so many things, that is nothing. That is the difference between dead man and the living man. A living man is very powerful, very good position, everything. As soon as he lies down, he is lying down on the floor, and if you kick him on his face, he’ll not protest. So where is that strength? The strength is gone. That is spiritual strength. On the spiritual strength, the body moves. Suppose you have got a very good car, Mercedes car or Rolls Royce car. But when there is no petrol, how the car will move? It is not possible. There is spirit, petrol spirit. Similarly, real strength is spiritual strength. That spiritual strength is Balarāma. Bala means strength. Therefore we have to take shelter of the lotus feet of Balarāma, guru-tattva.

Sub-theme- Without the mercy of Balarāma you cannot realize your spiritual identification

Balarāma means guru-tattva. Balarāma represents guru. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ. If we want to understand Caitanya Mahāprabhu, if we want to understand Kṛṣṇa, then we must take shelter of Balarāma.

näyam ätmä pravacanena labhyo
na medhayä na bahunä srutena
yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas
tasyaisa ätmä vivrnute tanüm sväm

Translation- You cannot realize the self simply by arguments or very scholarly speeches. Neither by sharp brain or memory. Only a person, who is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can understand God. [Mundaka Upanisad 3.2.3]

This bala-hinena labhyaḥ, this Vedic injunction, means “Without the mercy of Balarāma you cannot understand, you cannot realize your spiritual identification. So that Balarāma comes as Nityānanda Prabhu. Balarāma hailā nitāi. Therefore we must take shelter of Balarāma. That is… This song has been sung by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura. Nitāi-pada-kamala, koṭi-candra-suśītala. If we take shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu, then we get peace. Koṭi-candra-suśītala. Just like in daytime, especially in the summer season, we become very much exasperated. But at night, in the evening, as soon as there is moonshine, we become very much satisfied. All day’s labor and fatigue is immediately moved. So nitāi-pada-kamala, the shade of Nityānanda Prabhu’s lotus feet, is koṭi-candra-suśītala, as pleasing as one crore of moonshine. One moonshine gives us so much pleasure. So if we want actually peace of mind, if we actually want to be free from this material fatiguement, then we must take the shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu. Nityānanda Prabhu is the strength, spiritual strength. And without spiritual strength you cannot approach Kṛṣṇa. Nāyam ātmā pravaca… Simply by talking nonsense… Nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyaḥ.

If you are a good speaker, that does not mean you’ll understand, yourself. Na medhayā: “Neither by good brain.” Because you have got very good brain you’ll understand Kṛṣṇa—no. Nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena. If you think that you are a very good scholar, university degree-holder, then you’ll understand—no. This is not possible.

So we must have spiritual strength. That source of spiritual strength is Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa’s next manifestation, prakāśa-vigraha. Kṛṣṇa is manifesting Himself through Balarāma. So we have to take shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu.

nitāi-pada-kamala, koṭi-candra-suśītala,
je chāyāy jagata jurāy

The whole world is suffering, but if you want peace, then you take the shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu.

heno nitāi bine bhāi, rādhā-kṛṣṇa pāite nāi
dhṛdha kori’ dharo nitāir pāy

Our real aim of life—how to go back home back to Godhead and associate with Rādhā Kṛṣṇa. In another song the same author says,

manuṣya-janama pāiyā, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nā bhajiyā,
jāniyā śuniyā biṣa khāinu

Unless you come to Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, you cannot get real pleasure. If you want to dance and get pleasure, don’t dance independently. Dance with Kṛṣṇa. Then you’ll be happy. The dancing is there, but dancing without association of Kṛṣṇa… Just like here, in our temple, we are also eating, but we are eating the remnants of foodstuff left by Kṛṣṇa. That is real pleasure. It is not that we are stopping eating. We are not stopping eating. We are not dry philosophers. Kṛṣṇa baro doyāmoy, koribāre jihwā jay, swa-prasād-anna dilo bhāi. All over the world we are eating Kṛṣṇa prasādam, and we have got good experience. At least ten thousand men and women, they are taking Kṛṣṇa prasādam, but we have no anxiety.

Sub-theme: Material life means anxiety

We have no anxiety. A family consists of a few members. They are full of anxiety how to maintain the family. And we are maintaining a family of ten thousand men. We have no anxiety. Just see practically. We have no anxiety. We require thousands and thousands of rupees for maintaining Europe, America, a costly affair. But because we are under the shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu, Balarāma, we have no anxiety. That means material life means anxiety. You cannot avoid anxiety if you lead a material life. Then you will be anxious.

That is Prahlāda Mahārāja’s instruction. He was asked by his father, “My dear son, what you have learned, the best thing from your teachers?” So he replied, “My dear father…” He never said, “My dear father”; He said, “My dear best of the asuras.” Asura-varya.

Sri-prahläda uväca
tat sädhu manye ‘sura-varya dehinäm
sadä samudvigna-dhiyäm asad-grahät
hitvätma-pätam grham andha-küpam
vanam gato yad dharim äsrayeta

Translation- Prahlāda Mahārāja replied: O best of the asuras, King of the demons, as far as I have learned from my spiritual master, any person who has accepted a temporary body and temporary household life is certainly embarrassed by anxiety because of having fallen in a dark well where there is no water but only suffering. One should give up this position and go to the forest [vana]. More clearly, one should go to Vṛndāvana, where only Kṛṣṇa consciousness is prevalent, and should thus take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. [ŚB 7.5.5]
The whole human society is suffering, at least suffering from one disease—anxiety. Ask anybody. Take one small ant and take the big elephant; take the President of United States or take one street beggar. Ask him, “Whether you are free from anxiety?” Nobody will say, “No.” “I am full of anxiety.” That’s a fact. So why they are anxiety, in, full of anxiety? That Prahlāda Mahārāja had replied, sadā samudvigna-dhiyām asad-grahāt. Because we have taken asad-vastu, that will not exist… Everything, whatever you have got… Our, this body will not exist. And this is the main platform of our existence. In the material world, so long the body is there, you exist. So Prahlāda Mahārāja said that “Real solution of problems of life is to get out of this material condition. That is best thing in my opinion.” Sada samadvigna-dhiyām asad… That is Vedic injunction also. Asato mā sad gamaya: “Don’t live in this asat, in this material condition.” Sad gamaya: “Go to real existence.” That real existence means spiritual life.

Na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā nabhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ’yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

Translation- For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain. [BG 2.20]
So if we actually want life, blissful life, then we must get out of this material existence. That is Prahlāda Mahārāja’s instruction. Samudvigna-dhiyām. And if you remain in the material existence, you must suffer some anxiety. There is no excuse.

Sub-theme: Material civilization is killing the soul

So Prahlāda Mahārāja advises that hitvātma-ghātam gṛham andha-kūpaṁ vanam gato yad dharim āśrayeta [SB 7.5.5]. If you… Real problem is anxiety. And this anxiety will continue so long you are material existent. Therefore the real life is to get out of this material… Hitvātma-ghātam. Ātma-ghāṭam. Ātma-ghātam means killing the soul. This material civilization is killing the soul. That… They have no information of the soul. They do not know how to become peaceful, how to become blissful. They are trying to be peaceful, bahir-artha-māninaḥ, by external material energy. They are thinking by constructing big, big buildings, just like in Bhuvaneśvara they are doing, and having good, very big, big roads and motorcars, that is advancement of civilization. No. That is not advancement of civili… That is increasing their anxiety. There is no solution of the anxiety. There is… Formerly that… I was speaking. There was no university. The university was in the cottage-Vyāsadeva. Vyāsadeva was writing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and all the Purāṇas in a cottage. The university was there. Who can produce such literature as Vyāsadeva has given? From any angle of vision, from literary point of view, from philosophical point of view—everything, so perfect, every literature, Mahābhārata, Purāṇas, and Vedānta. Veda-vyāsa, he has given. So there was no need of university. It required clear brain. That was to be done by the brahminical qualifications,

samo damas tapah saucah
ksäntir ärjavam eva ca
jnänam vijnänam ästikyam
brahma-karma svabhäva-jam

Translation- Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness—these are the natural qualities by which the brähmanas work. [Bg 18.42]

Where is that education? This education, technical education, how you can very nicely hammer, this will not solve the problem. So if we want real solution of the problems, then our duty is first of all to take the shelter of nitāi-pada-kamala. Then we’ll be happy, and we’ll get moonshine, and our all fatigueness will be subsided.

Sub-theme: Become Nityananda Prabhu’s and Vaisnava’s dog

Sambandha nāhi jār, bṛthā janma gelo tār. So if you have no connection with Nityānanda Prabhu… Nityānanda means always. Nitya means always, ānanda means pleasure. This is another meaning you can draw. So therefore, if you have no connection with Nityānanda Prabhu… Se tār: “He’s simply wasting time.” Bṛthā means useless. Uselessly, he’s wasting time. Se paśu boro durācār. And Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has used very strong word. “Anyone who has no connection with Nityānanda Prabhu, he’s a paśu.” Sei paśu. He’s a paśu, means animal. So animal, how one animal can get happiness? That is not possible. The dog, from the childhood he’s searching after food, searching after food. And cannot get food. Unless a dog has got a master, he’s street dog and he’s always unhappy. So better to become a dog of Nityānanda Prabhu. Then we shall be happy. Instead of becoming dog of so many other people… Everyone is dog. Everyone is searching after to serve a master. But none of them are satisfied because that is false master. You take real master, Nityānanda Prabhu. You’ll be happy. Se paśu boro durācār. He does not know where is happiness. Where I shall become a dog? That…

Our Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, he has sung therefore,
vaisnava ṭhākur, tomāra kukkur,
boliya janaha more

“My dear Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura, kindly accept me as your dog, as your dog. I am dog already, but I am māyā’s dog. I’m not Vaiṣṇava’s dog. So kindly accept me.” If you become a Vaiṣṇava’s dog… Chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava sevā, nistār pāiche kebā. If you do not become a dog of Vaiṣṇava and Nityānanda Prabhu… Nityānanda is guru. So if you do not become a dog of Nityānanda Prabhu, Vaiṣṇava, or guru, there is no question of happiness. Se sambandha nāhi yār, bṛthā janma gelo… se paśu boro durācār. Nitāi nā bolilo mukhe, majilā saṁsāra-sukhe. He who has no connection with Nityānanda Prabhu, and he does not say, “Jaya Nitāi! Jaya Gaura!” And majilo saṁsāra-sukhe, he thinks that this society, family, and… “Society, friendship and love, divinely bestowed upon man.” These materialist persons, they say like that. That is called majilo saṁsāra sukhe. In saṁsāra there cannot be any sukha, but he’s attracted by that. Majilo saṁsāra sukhe. Vidyā-kule ki koribe tār. What we’ll do with university education or born in big family or… This will not help. This is not possible. Vidyā-kule ki karibe tār. Why they’re accepting this false? Ahaṅkāre matta hoiyā, nitāi-pada pasariya, asatyere satya kori māni. On account of being misled by false prestige and false egotism, asatyere satya kori māni, we are accepting this body which is asat, which will not exist. That we have taken as reality. Ahaṅkare matta hoiya, nitāi pada pasariya. But if we take shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu, then you get the enlightenment. Asatyere satya kori māni. Nitāiyer koruṇā habe, braje rādhā-kṛṣṇa pabe, dharo nitāi-caraṇa du’khāni.

Therefore Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura advises that… Today is Nityānanda Prabhu’s āvirbhāva appearance day. Let us at least remember today nitāi-pada-kamala. That is wanted. Nitāi caraṇa satya, tāhāra sevaka nitya. The reality is nitāi-caraṇa, and anyone who is servant of Nitāi… So nitāiyer caraṇa satya, tāhāra sevaka nitya. One who has become the dog of Nityānanda Prabhu, he gets his eternal life. We are eternal, but under misconception of material identification, we are under the subjugation of māyā.

bhüta-grämah sa eväyam
bhütvä bhütvä praliyate
rätry-ägame ‘vasah pärtha
prabhavaty ahar-ägame

Translation- Again and again, when Brahmä’s day arrives, all living entities come into being, and with the arrival of Brahmä’s night they are helplessly annihilated. [Bg. 8.19]

dehino ‘smin yathä dehe
kaumäraà yauvanaà jarä
tathä dehäntara-präptir
dhéras tatra na muhyati

Translation- As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change. [Bg. 2.13]

It is very botheration, but they do not know. I am going from one body to another transmigration. And that is not guaranteed, what kind of body. They have no science, no knowledge about understanding tathā dehāntara, the very first instruction of Bhagavad-gītā. They are so rascals, and they are proud of their education, their universities. This is going on.

Nitāi caraṇa satya, tāhāra sevaka…, nitāi-pada sadā koro āśā. Therefore we should always expect to be under the shelter of nitāi-pada-kamala. Narottama boro duḥkhī. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, he’s ācārya. He is presenting himself… That is ācārya. Means he is not duḥkhī, but he’s presenting himself as duḥkhī. That is ācārya. Ācāryas, they are never duḥkhī. But taking the common man’s position, he says, narottama boro duḥkhī. Or, in other words, Narottama… Narottama means the best of the human being. So here in this material world one may be the best of the human being, very exalted position, but everyone is duḥkī, unhappy. Narottama boro duḥkī, nitāi more koro sukhī: “Only Nityānanda can make me happy. Otherwise not possible.” Rakho raṅga-caraṇera pāśa. So today is Nityānanda Prabhu’s appearance day. We shall always pray Nityānanda Prabhu, “Kindly keep me under your shelter so that… I am very duḥkī; I am very unhappy. Under the shelter of Your lotus feet I shall be happy.” And that is real happiness. Thank you very much.

Japa talk – 22^nd February 2024
Speaker – HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu

Guru Maharaj speaks – Today’s Japa Talk will be given by Sarvabhauma prabhu.I will give Bhagvatam class about Nityanand katha  at 8 am in the temple today after which I will be going to Noida for the 10^th Brahmotsav.We will do katha and kirtan there.

ha ha prabhu nityananda, premananda sukhi
kripabalokana koro ami boro duhkhi

My dear Lord Nityananda, You are always joyful in spiritual bliss. Since You always appear very happy, I have come to You because I am most unhappy. If You kindly put Your glance over me, then I may also become happy. [Song name is Savarana Sri Gaura padma padme from prarthana by Narottama Das Thakur]

Lord Nityanand is always in ecstasy,He is always in Nitya Anand.Narottama Das Thakur says premanand sukhi,that you are always engaged in ecstasy.But such an incarnation of Balaram,I pray to you that please show some mercy on us ,we are immersed in the ocean of misery.We all shall pray this today.It is my prayer to Nityanand Prabhu to pull us out from this ocean of misery and make us eternally happy.He is always happy and I pray to Him to make all of us also happy.In the first shloka of Chaitanya Bhagvat,there is a prayer that is applicable for both Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Nityanand Prabhu.Let us chant together-

ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadhatau
sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau
visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma palau
vande jagat-priyakaro karunavatarau

I offer my respects unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, whose arms extend down to Their knees, who have golden yellow complexions, and who inaugurated the congregational chanting of the Holy Names. Their eyes resemble the petals of a lotus. They are the maintainers of all living entities. They are the best of brahmanas, the protectors of religious principles for this age, the benefactors of the universe, and the most merciful of all incarnations. [Caitanya-bhagavata 1.1.1]

Both Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityanand Prabhu are founders of the Sankirtan movement,this prayer is for both of them. While doing this they are protecting us in kaliyuga. Both of them have given us this mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.Its is also said that the words Hare Rama in this signifies Lord Balaram or Nityanand Mahaprabhu or even Krishna or even Lord Rama. We chant this everyday and the message of Kirtaniya sada hari is given by both Lord Chaitanya and Nityanand Mahaprabhu. After this we will be happy so chant Hare Krishna and be happy. This is all I want to say today. Pls listen to Nityanand Katha by Sarvabhauma Prabhu himself. Thankyou all for your presence.

HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu Speaks – All my obeisance to Guru Maharaj and the devotees present here.

Gurave gaura chandraya radhikaya tadalaye Krsnaya Krishna bhaktaya tad bhaktaya namo namah

I offer my humble pranams unto my gurudeva, unto Sri Gaura Chandra and Sri Radha and Krsna.

Sarvabhauma Prabhu offers prayers.

Introduction

I welcome all the fortunate devotees who are present in the Japa Talk of Guru Maharaj.Today is Nityanand Trayodashi and today we all have been fortunate to associate with Gurumaharaj and chant and hear from Him.Last time we spoke about the significance of Nityanand Mahaprabhu.We discussed that He is the first expansion of Lord Krishna who serves in 5 forms ,4 of which are for the cosmic manifestation and one is itself serving by being in Krishna leela.All the expansions of Lord Vishnu which descend on Earth or perform leela in Vaikuntha are nothing but expansion of Lord Nityananda.Also the paramatma form in our hearts is also an expansion of Lord Nityananda.All our acharyas and guru’s mercy is also a form of Lord Nityananda.He is so merciful that he never sees the eligibility of a person he just delivers a person who completely surrenders unto Him.Sri Kaviraja Goswami was considering Himself fortunate to be able to stay in Vrindavan and take darshan of their Lorships Madanmohan and Gopinath darshans.We are also lucky that because of the mercy of all devotees and this institution ISKCON  by the mercy of Lord Nityananda that we were able to see Vrindavan.It is all because of their mercy that we are able to read Bhagvad Gita and Bhagvatam. 

Birth of Lord Nityananda – 

Lord Nityananda was born to a religious Bengali Brahmin known as Pandit Hadai, and his wife, Padmavati in Ekachakra  around the year 1474.He was the most beloved in Ekachakra and was born 12 years before Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and in He was very beautiful and when He would perform pastimes of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama.Once when he was playing the role of Laxman in a drama and the scene was killing of Meghnath and Laxman fell unconscious.Lord Nityananda actually became unconscious and everybody was wondering what had happened.Then the one who was playing the role of Hanuman had to actually get Sanjeevani to wake up Lord Nityananda.So He would get so involved in these pastimes.Once when He was 12 years old a sanyasi who was Laxmi Tirth Maharaj told Hadai Pandit that I like your son pls give Him to me as I have to leave for a pilgrimage.This was the sanatan culture in the olden days that a sanyasis order was always followed by the grihastas ,but nowadays we are forgetting this culture and doing the exact opposite.

Hadai thakur gave His beloved son to the sanyasi for a good time of 20 years!

He was sent for help in the pilgrimage.Nityanand prabhu travelled with Laxmi Tirth Maharaj all over India in many pilgrimages.In Kurukshetra,Lord Balarama did not take part in the war but visited the pilgrimages of India instead.

When you have energy in the body and are young you should cover maximum pilgrimages of India and take darshans to all the sainta and sadhus you can.This is preferable.We must understand this that a fresh flower is always offered to the Lord not a dull flower its similar with the Human body we can take advantage of Yatras when we are old.

Nityanand Prabhu’s Yatra to Vrindavan

When Nityanand prabhu reached Pandharpur,He asked Laxmi Tirth Swami that I am in your service for long but I haven’t got diksha still.Actually He Himself is the master of all acharyas but just to show us He takes diksha from Laxmi Tirth Maharaj who is also the Guru of Madhavendra Puri.

After this Nityanand Prabhu came to Vrindavan,He would ask all the people around and the cowherd boys where is Krishna or Kanhaiya?He would see the cows and deers and ask for Krishna.Then there was a celestial announcement that the Krishna you are finding has appeared in Navadvip so Nityanand Prabhu travelled along the banks of Yamuna to rech Prayag and then from the Banks of Ganga He reached Navadvip where He sat in Nandan acharyas house with the hope that Kanhaiya will come to meet me here.

Meeting of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityanand Prabhu

Similarly Advait Acharya said that if Krishna descended on this planet just in my insistence then he will also come and give me darshan.Then Nimai came to Advait Acharya’s house and here he realized that Krishna has only come in the form of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Similarly,Nityanand Prabhu also waited in Nandan acharyas house with the same hope for the darshan of Krishna.Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told Haridas Thakur,Srinivas Acharya that a Vaishnav has come please find Him.They tried to find everywhere but did not succeed.Then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to Nandan acharyas house.Here Mahaprabhu is 20 years old and Nityanand prabhu is 23 years old,this is the first time they met.As soon as they saw each other they were very pleased.Lord Chaitanya’s long arms(ajanu lambita bujau),fair complexion and both ran towards each other and embraced each other,there were tears in the eyes and were astonished and in ecstasy.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sanyas Leela

After this Nityanand Prabhu joined Mahaprabhu in the pancatatva for preaching the Harinama.Mahaprabhu thought that unless I don’t take sanyas I will not be able to accomplish my mission,so Nityanand Prabhu was with Mahaprabhu during His sanyas from Keshav Bharti.

When they reached Vrindavan,they were amazed to see the banks of Yamuna.Mahaprabhu just jumped into Yamuna.Actually He jumped into Ganga thinking it is Yamuna.Nityanand Prabhu had arranged for Mahaprabhu’s clothes ,called it through Advaita Acharya.Mahaprabhu was amazed to see Advaita Acharya, he was satisfied to see him but seeing this Mahaprabhu thought that Nityanand Mahaprabhu had got Him back to Navadvip but actually this was the merging point of rivers,both were flowing from either sides.Here the colour of Yamuna is present but the name is Ganga.

If Mahaprabhu goes away from here after sanyas then how will the residents of Navadvip meet Him?

That’s why Mahaprabhu was got to Shantipur where there are three stops where Mahaprabhu waited.Sachi Mata was anxious of living alone worried that she has no association of her son after His Sanyas.Mahaprabhu instructed her that whenever I descend either you are Yashoda Mata or Sachi Mata and whenever somebody will install my deities I will enter that deity and there also you become my mother and lastly the tongue that takes my name,that tongue turns into my mother and I dance on that tongue.So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has specified three mothers.

Three mothers specified by Mahaprabhu-

1)My own mother in the form of sachi mata or yashoda

2)Whenever a deity is made either of marble or metal then I enter that deity and it becomes my mother there

3)And when we say Gaur Hari the tongue becomes the mother and Mahaprabhu starts dancing on that same tongue

Sachi mata told Mahaprabhu that Vrindavan is very far,but we will meet during Jagannath Ratha Yatra but just fulfill one wish that please stay in Jagannath Puri.

Mahaprabhu’s South India Yatra

 Nityanand prabhu is with Mahaprabhu with 4 others.They first go to Kheer Chor Gopinath and glorify Madhavendra Puri from there they go to dand bhang tirth where their sanyasa dand was broken into pieces and thrown away.Nityanand prabhu explains to Mahaprabhu that you are Krishna yourself what is the need of the danda?

So from here they took darshan of Lord Jagannath and here Mahaprabhu fainted,from here they went to the house of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and then doing Kirtan they awakened Mahaprabhu.

So we see that Mahaprabhu is always accompanied by Nityanand Prabhu in the sanyas lila.After this Mahaprabhu goes alone in the yatra of South India travelling from Pandharpur to Vrindavan by the banks of Yamuna.

Nityanand Parbhu would always say

bhaja gaurańga kaha gaurańga laha gaurańgera nama re
je jan gaurańga bhaje, sei (hoy) amara praṇa re

Bhaja gauranga means serve Mahaprabhu,take His name and the one who will serve Mahaprabhu is dear to me.We can serve Chaitanya Mahprabhu by the maha-mantra.

Nityanand prabhu’s mercy-Epitome of mercy

Without the mercy of Nityanand Mhaprabhu we cannot get the mery of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.Example of this is Raghunath Das Goswami.He first saw Chaitanya Mahaprabhu before and after sanyas.Mahaprabhu told Goswami ji that you be neutral your wish will automatically be fulfilled .His wish was to associate with Mahaprabhu.But Goswami Ji’s father got him married to a beautiful girl.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had come to Bengal with His associates in Panihati.He was seated there.Raghunath Das Goswami came for Mahaprabhu’s darshan.But Nityanand Prabhu got angry that you are a theif, you want to directly get the wealth of meeting Mahaprabhu bypassing me?I will punich you.Nityanand prabhu said that you must do a dahi cheeda festival here with dahi,puffed rice and banana.If the Vaishnavas are pleased then all your wishes will come true.When the Prasad was ready Nityanand Prabhu offered a plate to Mahaprabhu.We find Mahaprabhu in these four places –

1) In Sachi Mata’s kitchen

2)In the house of Srivas Acharya

3)In the house of Raghavendra Puri where his wife would make dry spices which Raghavendra would offer for the Yatra every year

4)In Nityananda Prabhu’s Kirtan

So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu cam there and everyone had Prasad.This was followed by Kirtan.Raghunath das Goswami placed his head at Nityanand prabhu’s feet and got the boon that he will soon obtain the shelter of the Lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Pastimes with Raghunath Das Goswami-

At that time Raghunath Das Goswami left his home from the uneven road and in 12 days he reached Jagannath Puri.Mahaprabhu handed Goswami ji to Svaroop Damodar Das and Goswami ji was witness to the special leelas of Mahaprabhu during the last years of His pastimes and he received the Govardhan shila and Gunjan mala from Mahaprabhu.After Mahaprabhu entered tota gopinath and Svaroop Damodar Goswami left his body,Raghunath Das Goswami took that shila and gunjan mala and came to Vrindavan. At Radha Kund , Goswami Ji preached the eternal pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.This is the Prasad of Nityanand Mahaprabhu who made Goswamiji a prayojan acharya.

Merciful Nityanand Prabhu-

Amongst the disciples of Nityanand Prabhu,he even showed mercy to Kaviraja Goswami.Kaviraj Goswami’s brother insulted Nityanand Prabhu in some way,but Nityanand Prabhu came in Kaviraj Goswami’s dream that come to Vrindavan where he got the shelter of the six goswami’s.

Iskcon’s main books are BBC, Bhagavad Gita (what Krishna says),Bhagvatam (what Krishna does) and Chaitanya charitamrita(what Krishna thinks).

All those who have written these are disciples of Nityanand prabhu.Vrindavan Das Thakur enlightened the leela of Chaintanya Mahaprabhu in Umang Gacchi which was his staying place.

Even for Narottama Das Thakur,Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had kept the mercy of His love alive with the help of the flowing water and told Nityanand Prabhu that you have to give this to Narottama Das Thakur.So Nityanand Prabhu only motivated Narottama Das Thakur.After Nityanand Prabhu Janhava Mata continued his legacy.

Once a Brahman walked from navadvip  and asked Mahaprabhu that inspite of being a sanyasi Nityanand Prabhu wears shiny clothes,eats pan.Mahaprabhu replied that even if Nityanand prabhu has alcohol in his hand and and sits with women still Brahma and I will pay obeisance unto Him.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says that we should never do vaishnav aparadh.Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was very strich with sanyas life,but Nityanand prabhu was avadhoot.After eatinf Nityanand Prabhu would throw his food at Advait acharya and say that your getting mahaprasad so eat it,so its very difficult to understand the leela of Nityanand Prabhu.

To get Nityanand Prabhu’s mercy we must follow the steps of Shrila Prabhupad and preach the way he has instructed us.

Thankyou!!

Padmamali Prabhu speaks – Thankyou Prabhuji for such a detailed explination!!

All glories to Shrila Prabhupad.

Date: 21 February 2024
Speaker: HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu Ji
Topic: Nityananda Katha Seminar
HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu Ji:

Today is the 2 day of Nityananda Katha seminar.

Yesterday we heard about Lord Nityananda who is non different first expansion of Lord Krishna. All incarnations emanate from him and he serves the lord in five forms. Today is Varah Dwadashi. In the third canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, there are two incarnations stated: one is Action based incarnation and another one is knowledge-based incarnation. Varah Dev is Action based incarnation. Kapil Muni is knowledge-based incarnation who gives the knowledge of Sankhya Yoga to his Mother Devhuti. Varah Dev incarnated two times: one at the time of Chakshusha Manu and another one is at the time of Swayambhu Manu. It is described in the purport of third canto of Srimad Bhagavatam that who has killed Hiranyakashapu and who has protected the Mother Earth. Today we will discuss about the one who has saved Mother Earth. Mother Earth is the wife of Vishnu. Varah Dev holds that Mother Earth.

So, in the beginning of creation, when Brahma form their sons and rishis, there was a problem regarding where the creation will stay? As there was no land. So, while brahma was contemplating on this, Varaha Deva appeared from his nose. He Came to take the earth out of the causal ocean. Meanwhile Hiranyaksha, the son of Kashyap and Diti, was roaming the world to find a suitable fighter. He went to the Varun Lok through Indra Lok to fight with Varun Dev. But Varun Dev refused to fight as he is becoming old. Varun Dev said to him that Lord Vishnu will certainly fight with you and defeat you.

Hiranyaksha reached to the Causal Ocean and asked Narad Muni about Vishnu. Narada Muni directed him to Varaha deva. Hiranyaksha challenged Varah Dev while Varaha deva was bringing the earth out holding it on his tusk. One thing we should learn from Varah Dev is that we should not leave our work which we are doing at present whether anyone is calling you or trying to disturb us.

Varah Deva situate Mother Earth in the orbit and answered Hiranyaksha that I am a wild boar and I will not be bewildered on the barking of dogs.

Hiranyaksha attacked from behind and there was a big fight. Hiranyaksha and Hirankashipu are none other than Jaya and Vijaya from Vaikuntha Loka.

Lord wanted to fight and take the taste of Heroic Rasa. So, the energy of the lord instigates four kumaras to give the curse to Jaya and Vijaya. Lord fought with Hiranyaksha for a full day of Brahma. One day of Brahma, which is also called as Kalpa, is so long as it contains fourteen
manvantaras which means it will contain 21 times cycle of four Yugas. Brahma prayed to the Lord to kill that demon as soon as possible, because it is about to evening and at that time, the power of demons becomes double. Lord was taking pleasure while fighting with him.

Hiranyaksha’s mace fell down. Lord instructs him to put his mace back, but he refused and call his Trident. And that also fell down with an attack of the Lord. Then Hiranyaksha climbed on the chest of the Lord and punch him. But Lord feels it like a flower hit an elephant. Varaha
Deva Slapped him with his left hand and his eyes came out and he died. All demigods praise Varaha Deva.

All incarnations come from Garbodakshyi Vishnu which is the expansion of Nityananda.

Vishnu’s work is to maintain the creation. Varaha Deva is the partial incarnation of Nityananda.
Varaha deva is also known as Yagya Varaha. The soil on which Varaha Deva sat is supposed to be pure for Yagya.

Varaha Deva and Mother Earth had a son named Bhaumasura, who is delivered by Krishna with Satyabhama. Krishna took Satyabhama with him as Earth is an expansion of Satyabhama.

The hunchbacked Kubja was also incarnation of Satyabhama, who is hunchbacked due to the heaviness on Earth because of demons. Krishna came and free her from the heaviness of demons.

All Glories to Varaha Deva!
As, Lord came to deliver the demons and to save the Sadhus.
BG, 4.8:

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge

Translation:

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

But Lord Nityananda is more merciful incarnation. Srila Prabhupada was called as His Divine Grace AC Bhakti Vedant Swami Prabhupada. So, whose Divine Grace is he? Lord Nityananda’s. He, who engaged us in the devotional services, can give mercy. Lord Nityananda engaged us
in the service of the Lord. Let us read the main purpose of the incarnation of Lord Nityananda.

CC Ādi 5.208:
preme matta nityānanda kṛpā-avatāra
uttama, adhama, kichu nā kare vicāra

Translation:

Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love and is an incarnation of mercy, He does not disting uish between the good and the bad.
Lord Nityananda is mad in the love of Radha and Krishna so that he is incarnated in the form of mercy. All creatures are the part and parcel of Krishna, so, they all are very dear to Lord

Nityananda. That’s why, He incarnate in his merciful form to shower his compassion upon all
creatures. He does not distinguish between the good and the bad.

CC Ādi 5.209:
ye āge paḍaye, tāre karaye nistāra
ataeva nistārilā mo-hena durācāra

Translation:

He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me.

With great Humility, Krishnadas Kaviraj called himself as fallen and sinful.

CC Ādi 5.210:
mo-pāpiṣṭhe ānilena śrī-vṛndāvana
mo-hena adhame dilā śrī-rūpa-caraṇa

Translation:

Although I am sinful and I am the most fallen, He has conferred upon me the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī.

CC, Adi Lila, Verse 5.211:
śrī-madana-gopāla-śrī-govinda-daraśana
kahibāra yogya nahe e-saba kathana

Translation:

I am not fit to speak all these confidential words about my visiting Lord Madana Gopāla and Lord Govinda.

We have to see these in our context.

CC Ādi 5.208:
preme matta nityānanda kṛpā-avatāra
uttama, adhama, kichu nā kare vicāra

Translation:

Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love and is an incarnation of mercy, He does not disting uish between the good and the bad.
Srila Prabhupada who is the expansion of Nityananda’ s effulgence and he was the personification of his mercy.

Srila Prabhupada Pranam Mantra:
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanya deva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Chaitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 7.11:
kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana

Translation:

“The fundamental religious system in the Age of Kali is the chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Unless empowered by Kṛṣṇa, one cannot propagate the saṅkīrtana movement. Unless empowered by Kṛṣṇa, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, one cannot propagate the saṅkīrtana movement. Srila Prabhupada is an empowered Acharya.

Like Nityananda Prabhu was asked to go door to door and gave them Krsna Prema. Nityananda Prabhu thought Chaitanya mahaprabhu is Mahavadanya Incarnation. So, we will first go the most fallen Jagai and Madhai, who are the sons of a Brahmin family but indulged in meat eating, intoxication, Illicit sex and gambaling. Nityananda Prabhu advised them to take Harinaam.

They critised in return. But lord Nityananda tolerated it teaching us that when we go to preach people will insult us, but we have to tolerate to give them love of Godhead.

Shikshashtakam, Verse 3:
trinad api sunicena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harihi

Translation:

One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

Jagai and madhai struck Nityananda and lord Chaitanya upon hearing became very angry and called for his Sudarshan.

Srila Prabhupada raised a question that who himself gave us the teachings of Trinadapi sunichena, how he gets so much angry to call Sudarshana to kill Jagai and Madhai? Srila Prabhupada answered, here we learn that vaishnava tolerates all insult but they never tolerate insult to other vaishn avas.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu could not tolerate the insult towards Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu begged Mahaprabhu to forgive them and to be merciful towards them as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu incarnate to do compassion on the fallen souls.

Jagai and Madhai fell on the feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and seek forgiveness. Later, both becomes great devotees. They lived on the bank of River Ganges and offer obeisances towards everyone. This is the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu.

When Srila Prabhupada was preaching in bowery, there were some people who were even worse than Jagai and Madhai. When he was there alone with a room mate who was crazy. Srila Prabhupada optimised that he will become a devotee. But he is in intoxication and one day he attacked Srila Prabhupada. So, he moved out and was even have to stay with a couples, Carl’s place by putting a partition in the room. But his wife was not used to live in such an environment. So, soon he was moved by Michael ( Mukunda Goswami), to a rented storefront on 2 Avenue.

Nityananda is madden in the love of Godhead and so he gives everyone’s without discrimina tion. So, Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepts everyone referred by Nityananda. Only Chaitanya Mahaprabhu can give Krishna Prema. Nityananda Prabhu is so much mad in love of Radha and Krishna.

Nityananda Prabhu is like an intoxicated king who plundered his own treasure in everyone without any discrimination. Nityananda Prabhu is mad in Love of Radha and Krishna. So, he plundered the Holy Name in everyone without any discrimination.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepts everyone referred by Nityananda and Nityananda refers those who take all trouble to preach to the most fallen.
As Varaha Dev take the Earth from Causal Ocean, many Hiranyakshas tries to stop him. But

Mother Earth got established.

We see Srila Prabhupada did this and got the mercy of Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda saw lord Chaitanya is preaching to all great personalities, like six Goswamis, and others, so, I should preach to the fallen and start from the bottom up. If I will get them in the shelter of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, then he will be pleased.

This mood is taken by Srila Prabhupada and therfore he started with the lowest in the society without looking at any qualification.

CC Ādi 5.209:
ye āge paḍaye, tāre karaye nistāra
ataeva nistārilā mo-hena durācāra

Translation:

He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me. This is the quality of Krishna. When Putna came to kill Krishna by breast fed him. He doesn’t see the emotion to kill him. But he saw the emotion of Putna to feed him.
Krishna is Animishesha Nimishesha. He closes his eyes over mischiefs and look with an open eye whenever one recites the Holy Name withy serving mood. He never remembers anyone’s mistake and always remember the serving endeavours. So, as his devotees are. Srila Prabhupada accepts everyone who come in his shelter and ready to follow the instructions.

It is said that when Chitragupta was tired to write all the sins done by Jagai and Madhai But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took their sins.
When Lord Chaitanya took all their sins, he turned black for a moment.

Srila Prabhupada preached to the lowest in the western society. They were not civilized at all. They intoxicate and wear ridiculous clothes. But Srila Prabhupada doesnot see their sins, but look upon their art and interest to keep them engage in the kirtan. Then coming to India after
1971, he preached in higher classes to propagate thye movement of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Srila Prabhupada Preached in both the classes of people.
HH Giriraj Maharaj quoted these shlokas in their lecture some days ago.
HH Giriraj Maharaj said Srila Prabhupada has delivered us.
Krishna Das Kaviraj calling himself as sinful and fallen. But we did not stand anywhere. We
should keep ourselves in the place of sinful and fallen in this verse and think about that where
we were and Srila Prabhupada has saved us.

CC Ādi 5.210:

mo-pāpiṣṭhe ānilena śrī-vṛndāvana
mo-hena adhame dilā śrī-rūpa-caraṇa

Translation:

Although I am sinful and I am the most fallen, He has conferred upon me the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī. We are so fallen yet we have the opportunity to come to Vrindavan. Do we have the quality to enter in the Vrindavan. The six Goswamis stayed only 3days under a tree. They drink the water of River Yamuna. They eat only on Dwadashi that was taking from the Chaturvedi Brahmins from Mathura. They eat that with water and wrote books And we are unable read these books, even when we have so much comfort.

Srila Prabhupada has open up the gate of Vrindavan for the fallen souls like us. Srila Prabhupada and Nityananda Prabhu tries to re-established our connection with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

CC Ādi 5.211:

śrī-madana-gopāla-śrī-govinda-daraśana
kahibāra yogya nahe e-saba kathana

Translation:

I am not fit to speak all these confidential words about my visiting Lord Madana Gopāla and Lord Govinda. We are the follower of Rupa Goswami. Krishna das Kaviraj has got the direct association of Rupa Goswami. Nityananda Prabhu’s representative Srila Prabhupada is so merciful that he provides us the teachings of Srila Rupa Goswami.

Madan Mohan are the deities of Sambandha Jnana, Govind Dev are the deities of Abhideya and Gopinath are the deities of Prayojana. Damodar are the deities of Sankirtan. We have to look upon how fortunate we are to get this mercy in this Kaliyuga without any qualification.

Srila Prabhupada Said to his God brother that I had to pick some of these people out of sewages to make them devotees.

Nityananda Prabhu has done mercy upon all creatures. Srila Prabbupada Has done mercy to make people devotees. And so on, the disciples of Srila Prabhupada are also doing the same. We are so much blessed that we are chanting the Holy Name.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare hare krishna – Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

This is the grace of Nityananda Prabhu and Srila Prabhuapada Is the representative of Nityananda Prabhu. Nobody had done what Srila Prabhupada has done.

Those who are not even civilized, cooking for them, feeding them, and then even cleaning after them. No guru has done this for his disciple.
Satswarupa Swami Maharaj told that in the early days we used to call Srila Prabhupada from our homes or offices to make the samosas ready, we will come in the evening to eat them up. Now they all are saying that we are so fallen that we call our spiritual master for our serving.
But Srila Prabhupada is so merciful that he serves his disciple, teach them to tie dhoti and Saree, to make prasadam.

One who takes shelter of Nityananda will get the mercy of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Vrindavan Das Thakur has written Nityananda Ashtakam. Nityanand Prabhu is full of Krishna Prema and He has given it to everyone.

CC Madhya 23.1:

cirād adattaṁ nija-gupta-vittaṁ
sva-prema-nāmāmṛtam aty-udāraḥ
ā-pāmaraṁ yo vitatāra gauraḥ
kṛṣṇo janebhyas tam ahaṁ prapadye

Translation:

The most munificent Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Gaurakṛṣṇa, distributed to everyone — even the lowest of men — His own confidential treasury in the form of the nectar of love of Himself and the holy name. This was never given to the people at any time before.
I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.

Krishna Das Kaviraj is saying that he has given us the lotus feet of Rupa Goswami means we have got the service of Rupa Manjiri. We have got all these mood by the mercy.

All Glories to Nityananda Rama!
Nityananda prabhu is free from anger.
We should take this opportunity and take shelter of Lord Nityananda.
We should learn from him humility and tolerance.

People go to temple and give some donation, but in return they want something. So, are they really doing it for Krishna? No! They always want something in return. They put hundred rupees note in the donation box and demand for the job of their son. It is good that they went to Lord. But, are they going to please Krishna.

By the grace of Nityananda and our Spiritual master tradition, we have learnt that our all endeavour should be for the pleasure of Krishna. This is the Mood of Gopis. What really pleases Krishna is when one brings a fallen soul to the lord. By the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, as much as souls, we will bring towards Krishna, for the pleasure of Gaur Hari, as much as mercy we will get. It will be our fortune to distribute the mercy of Nityananda prabhu in the fallen soul.

We should always remember the verse:

CC, Adi Lila, 5.209:

ye āge paḍaye, tāre karaye nistāra
ataeva nistārilā mo-hena durācāra

Translation:

He delivers all those who fall down before Him. Therefore He has delivered such a sinful and fallen person as me. Srila Prabhupada was praying that I have given the name of Bhaktivedanta, please bless me so that I can act like my name. Do we have this mood of being so fallen, and I am so blessed to get the Hare Krishna Mantra to Chant and We get the Vrindavan and Navdweep Dham.

We should always think this with humility that I was not qualify toget this mercy. Srila Prabhupada has made our destiny.
We can’t be indebted our spiritual master. But if we want to please me, Srila Prabhupada says, you should preach like I do.

CC Antya 7.11:

kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana

Translation:

“The fundamental religious system in the Age of Kali is the chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Unless empowered by Kṛṣṇa, one cannot propagate the saṅkīrtana movement. Nityananda Prabhu and Srila Prabhupada will empower us. We have to be qualified for that.
Nityananda Prabhu ji’s mercy is always here. We just have to do sincere prayer with humility.

Hare Krishna!
All Glories to Nityananda Prabhu!

Topic: Glories of Sri Nityananda Prabhu
Date:20^th February 2024
Speaker: HG Sarvabhauma Prabhu

HG Sarvabhuma Prabhu:

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj ki Jai. Gaur bhakta ki Jai.

guravegauracandrayaradhikayaitadalaye
krsnayakrsna-bhaktaya tad-bhaktayanamonamah

om namo bhagavata vasudevaye

kṛṣṇāyavāsudevāya
devakī-nandanāya ca
nanda-gopa-kumārāya
govindāyanamonamaḥ

nārāyaṇaṁnamaskṛtya
naraṁcaivanarottamam
devīṁsarasvatīṁvyāsaṁ
tatojayamudīrayet

namomahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāyate
kṛṣṇāyakṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmnegaura-tviṣenamaḥ

Jaya Sri-Krishna-Chaitanya Prabhu Nityananda,
Sri-Advaita Gadadhara Srivasadi-Gaura-Bhakta-Vrinda

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

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj ki Jai. Gaur bhakta ki Jai.  By the mercy of Sri SriKrsna and Balrama and Sri Sri Gaur Nitai there will be three day Bhagavat Katha on the Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.He  is“Akurdha”– one never gets angry. So, we will hear his pastimes today who is even merciful on Jagai and Madhai.

CC Ādi 2.3

jayajayaśrī-caitanyajayanityānanda
jayādvaita-candrajayagaura-bhakta-vṛnda

Translation

All glories to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord ŚrīNityānanda! All glories to Advaitacandra, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Gaurāṅga!

Please chant this mantra for Nityananda Prabhu:

Nityanandamahamnaumi
sarvananda-karam param
hari-nama-pradamdevam
avadhuta-shiromanim

Translation

“I bow down to the Supreme Lord Nityananda Prabhu, who is the awarder of the highest joy to all, the bestower of the holy name and the crest jewel of all paramahamsa mendicants.”

He gives us bliss on behalf of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he has opened the market for distributing holyname. Mahajan means a business man. Anyone can take the holynames of the Lord. He has opened the naam hat. Avdhut Shiromani means one who is engaged in the chanting of holynames. They are above all designations and they are not bothered about this world.  Datatraye Muni in Srimad Bhagavatam is called “Avdhut.” Shiromani means crest jewel of all paramhamsas.He is always absorbed and drowned in Krsna prema. We should recite this prayer in whichever temple we visit before Gaur Nitai deities. Shastanga pranam is for Lord, Panchanga Pranam is for matajis. Mind and words are both of prabhujis and matajis. From mind we have to think about Lord and from our tongue we should recite this shloka. So after Prabhupada mantra, we should recite this mantra.

We should recite this mantra for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

CC Ādi 1.14

pañca-tattvātmakaṁkṛṣṇaṁ
bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁbhaktākhyaṁ
namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

Translation

I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee and devotional energy.

CB Madhya-khaṇḍa 28.200
ānanda-līlā-maya-vigrahāya
hemābha-divyac-chavi-sundarāya
tasmaimahā-prema-rasa-pradāya
caitanya-candrāyanamonamaste

O Śrī Caitanya-candra, I offer You my repeated obeisances. You are the personification of Kṛṣṇa’s blissful pastimes, and You are extraordinarily beautiful, having a dazzling golden luster. You have awarded to the people of the world the topmost mellows of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

So this is a simple shloka.So we should learn these shlokas as well with pranam mantras. Then the pranam is complete not just falling flat like a stick! Then this type of pranam mantra is called Ashtang Dandvat Pranam. In Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi lila is from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s birth to Sannayasa Lila.Madhya Lila is the six years in which he travelled in South India and then went to Vrindavan. Antyalila describes his last eighteen years in Jagannatha Puri. Nityanand tattva is described there. Nityananda lila is everywhere but Nityananda tattva is described in the fifth chapter. Kaviraj Goswami writes

CC Ādi 5.1

vande ’nantādbhutaiśvaryaṁ
śrī-nityānandamīśvaram
yasyecchayā tat-svarūpam
ajñenāpinirūpyate

Translation

Let me offer my obeisances to Lord ŚrīNityānanda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose opulence is wonderful and unlimited. By His will, even a fool can understand His identity.

It is one of the Navada Bhakti. He is AdbutEswar and Ananta, the expansion of Nityananda. He distributesthe love of God.He begged everyone fromdoor to door to chant Hare Krishna mantra.

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

He is theNaam Acharya.Nityanand prabhu inspires everyone to chant Hare Krishna mantra. He is that Nityanand Eswar. He is bliss giver and he was asked by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to do this. He is not like God who is the controller of all activities but he is the giver of Holyname prasad.

CC Ādi 5.1

vande ’nantādbhutaiśvaryaṁ
śrī-nityānandamīśvaram
yasyecchayā tat-svarūpam
ajñenāpinirūpyate

Translation

Let me offer my obeisances to Lord ŚrīNityānanda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose opulence is wonderful and unlimited. By His will, even a fool can understand His identity.

He is very mercifuland  if is happy with us, then Tat means God and Svarup is Nityanand prabhu. Tat tvamasi- this is a shloka in Vedas which says that just like Krsna, I am also  God. I am the part and parcel of Krsna. Nityananda When an illiterate  can understand his glories of Nityanand. Even children can understand this philosophy that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna and Nityanand Prabhu is Balrama and make others also understand this There is no difference in these personalities

Hari Haribifale by Narottama Das Thakur

Vrajendra-nandanajei, saci-sutahoilo sei,
balaramahoilonitai

Translation

0 Lord Hari, I have spent my life uselessly. Having obtained a human birth and having not worshipedRadha and Krishna, I have knowingly drunk poison.

Those who are not in Krsna Consciousness they can’t understand Krsna. Even big devotees don’t take his name and understand this philosophy. Have you heard anyone saying this that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Radha and Krsna?  He is the Acharya tattva. He is the Adi guru. Those who do not know him, how can they know Krsna? Without Nityanand’s mercy no one can understand Krsna. How can he be a Guru then? Many of them are roaming on this planet, but they don’t know about Nityananda Prabhu. They cannot attain the service of the lotus feet of Lord without his mercy. This is a very confidential knowledge which all devotees in ISKCON  know.

CC Ādi 5.2

jayajayaśrī-caitanyajayanityānanda
jayādvaita-candrajayagaura-bhakta-vṛnda

Translation

All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityānanda! All glories to Advaita Ācārya! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu!

Two- three days before we celebrated Advaita Acharyas appearance. He is non-different from Krsna. He is Advaita Chandra who brought Chaitanya Chandra to this world. Hare na Advaitam. He starts the disciplicsucession that why he is called Acharya. Glories to all the associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are his eternal associates.

Sri Chaitanya sangigana.The Panchatattva are Nityasiddha.He is capable of giving Krsna. In CC in fisrt 5 shloka nityanand glories are mentioned.

CC Ādi 5.3

eiṣaṭ-ślokekahilakṛṣṇa-caitanya-mahimā
pañca-ślokekahinityānanda-tattva-sīmā

Translation

I have described the glory of ŚrīKṛṣṇa Caitanya in six verses. Now, in five verses I shall describe the glory of Lord Nityānanda.

In the first four shloka, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s glories are explained. In the fifith shloka, glories of Nityananda Prabhu is explained. Krsnaraj Kaviraj Goswami explains:

CC Ādi 5.4

sarva-avatārīkṛṣṇasvayaṁbhagavān
tāṅhāradvitīyadehaśrī-balarāma

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balarāma is His second body. Krsna is not avatar. He is the source of all incarnations.

ŚB 1.3.28

etecāṁśa-kalāḥpuṁsaḥ
kṛṣṇastubhagavānsvayam
indrāri-vyākulaṁlokaṁ
mṛḍayantiyugeyuge

Translation

All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists.

CC Ādi 5.5

eka-isvarūpadoṅhe, bhinna-mātrakāya
ādyakāya-vyūha, kṛṣṇa-līlārasahāya

Translation

These two are one and the same identity. They differ only in form. Lord Balarāma is the first bodily expansion of Kṛṣṇa, and He assists in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental pastimes.

His other form is Sri Balaram. Lord expands in two forms- Prakash and Vilas. When he expands from one to many Krsnas,  with all similarities in all aspects- form, thinking etc. So this is done in Raas lila. This is the effect of Prakash. One with Radharani is the main Krsna other are his expansions.  Other is vilas in which he expands but he looks different in form, dress etc. Balram has appeared from Krsna and wears blue colour as he sees Krsna inside as well as outside. This is the same for Radhrani. Balram is white and Krsna is black. They are same in strength. Nityanandaalso wears Blue colour. Radharani also sees Krsna inside and outside. That’s why he is called Nilambar.

When Krsna said that he didn’t eat dirt, Balram disagreed and said that he had actually eaten mud. So Krsna calls him black from inside. He says that I am adopted and teases me. So it  is true that Balram is black from inside as Krsna is inside him. Sohe is his first expansion. Why does he expand? Because he wants to help in Krsna Lila and appears from the right side of Krsna. Then Balarama expands himself as Chaturbhuja form. All the Vishnu in the Vishnu loka will come from Balaram. Vasudev, Sankarshan, Pradyumna  andAniruddha. This shloka was once discussed  with Srila Prabhupda and he was in Prayag raajtwo times. He has his first initiation here and also had his business as well. Yamuna matajisung Govindamadhipurusham. She is one of first disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Other disciple was HG Madhudvesh Prabhu and preached in Australia and Newzland. This shloka says that Krsna and Balram is same. Yamuna mataji says that Krsna and Balram are different. Krsna can perform raaslila, Balram cannot. Tamal Krsna Goswami went to Srila Prabhupada and asked this to him. To this Srila Prabhupada said MadhudveshPrabhuji is right that they both are same.

They are same but have different bodies. Srila Prabhupada said what Yamuna said is also right. Then Tamal Krsna Goswami Maharaj said how is this possible? Then Srila Prabhupada said that he is also right. Giriraj Maharaj told that all three were correct. Then he narrated the pastime of five blind people who try to analyse the elephant. Every person had different interpretations. Sothis is our condition, we can understand them as per our realisations. But we are right on our part. It is difficult to analyse Krsna.

CC Ādi 5.6

sei kṛṣṇa — navadvīpeśrī-caitanya-candra
sei balarāma — saṅgeśrī-nityānanda

Translation

That original Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared in Navadvīpa as Lord Caitanya, and Balarāma appeared with Him as Lord Nityānanda.

One who appeared as Krsna in Vraja similarlyappeared in Nawadwip as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In one part of Goloka the associates stays and other part has the associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Navadwip’s Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is same as Krsna. Balram and Laxman who came with the Lord he only appeared as Nityananda. Saket dham is the first, then above that is Dwaraka, then Mathura and then Goloka. Wherever Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went, all those places are in Vaikuntha also.

CC Ādi 5.7

saṅkarṣaṇaḥkāraṇa-toya-śāyī
garbhoda-śāyī ca payo ’bdhi-śāyī
śeṣaś ca yasyāṁśa-kalāḥsanityā-
nandākhya-rāmaḥśaraṇaṁmamāstu

Translation

May Śrī Nityānanda Rāma be the object of my constant remembrance. Saṅkarṣaṇa, ŚeṣaNāga and the Viṣṇus who lie on the Kāraṇa Ocean, Garbha Ocean and ocean of milk are His plenary portions and the portions of His plenary portions.

Sri Krsna is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Balram is Nityanand Prabhu. Sankarshan who sleeps in Karunodakshai Vishnu and Garbha sagar and Khirodakshiye Vishnu and shesha who holds them. These five are expansions of Nityananda. He is Nityanand Rama who gives pleasure to all devotees.

CC Ādi 5.8

śrī-balarāmagosāñimūla-saṅkarṣaṇa
pañca-rūpadhari’ karenakṛṣṇerasevana

Translation

Lord Balarāma is the original Saṅkarṣaṇa. He assumes five other forms to serve Lord Kṛṣṇa.

CC Ādi 5.9

āpanekarenakṛṣṇa-līlārasahāya
sṛṣṭi-līlā-kāryakaredhari’ cārikaya

Translation

He Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and He does the work of creation in four other forms.

CC Ādi 5.10

sṛṣṭy-ādikasevā, — tāṅraājñārapālana
‘śeṣa’-rūpekarekṛṣṇeravividhasevana

Translation

He executes the orders of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the work of creation, and in the form of Lord Śeṣa He serves Kṛṣṇa in various ways.

Mul Sankarashna is the first expansion. Balram is  the helpers in Krsna lila. He takes other 4 forms to participate in formation of this material world. All other forms  also serves Lord. Sesha means all the activites which are not performed by lord is performed by him. Siurpamakha’s nose was cut by Laxman. He tastes all the 5 types of rasa.

CC Ādi 5.11

sarva-rūpeāsvādayekṛṣṇa-sevānanda
sei balarāma — gaura-saṅgenityānanda

Translation

In all the forms He tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Kṛṣṇa. That same Balarāma is Lord Nityānanda, the companion of Lord Gaurasundara.

In five forms he serves the Lord. All the ornaments and dresses are the expansions of Balaram. In shantarupa- serves Krsna in shaantrupa. Dasya rup- he massages the feet of Krsna. Balaram is big brother in Sakhya bhaav and in Vatsalya bhaav which motheryasoda  instructs Balram to take care of Krsna. He is Anang Manjiri as Madhurya bhaav who is Radhrani’s sister.

CC Ādi 5.12

saptamaślokeraarthakaricāri-śloke
yātenityānanda-tattva jānesarva-loke

Translation

I have explained the seventh verse in four subsequent verses. By these verses all the world can know the truth about Lord Nityānanda.

In the 7^th shloka Nityanand tattva is explained. Then tomorrow we will discuss about his pastimes and lila.

Speaker: Guru Maharaj H.H Lokanath Maharaj
Date: 19-02-2024
Theme: Glories of Srila Ramanujacharya

Today I will not be giving a japa talk.

All glories to the disappearance day of Rāmānujācārya!

Rāmānuja means Anuja of Rāma, who is Lakshman. Therefore, Rāmānuja is the incarnation of Lakshman. Today Rāmānujācārya disappeared or entombed in Srirangam, which is a dhāma of Rangnātha Ji; but his tomb is not under the ground, but above the ground. The transcendental body of Rāmānujācārya has been kept as it is with care. And many people will have his darshan today. Out of four bonafide sampradāyas or communities, Śrī Rāmānujācārya has been the ācārya of Śrī Sampradāya. Śrī means Lakshmi. The commentary on Vedānta Sutra has been named as Śrī Bhāshya by Rāmānujācārya because the bhāshya manifested in his heart by the mercy of Lakshmi. He was the worshiper of Lakshmi and Narayan.

I do not have much time as I have to leave now for Nagpur. You continue chanting and praying to Rāmānujācārya. You can also pray for vaiśnava seva (service unto devotees). Śrī Krsna Caitanya Mahāprabhu has accepted one of the teachings of Śrī Sampradāya, and that is vaiśnava seva. Vaiśnava seva has been taught by Rāmānujācārya.

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha
kripa-sindhubhya eva cha
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namaha

Translation

We should not only greet the vaiśnavās, but also respect them. This quality has been taught by Rāmānujācārya by his behaviour.

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

Translation

Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasāda and offering prasāda are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another. [NOI 4]

We should learn vaiśnava etiquettes being a Gaudiya vaiśnava which comes under Rupa Goswāmī teachings. These symptoms mentioned above have been accepted by Caitanya Mahāprabhu and make it a part of His sampradāya which were also emphasized by Śrī Rāmānujācārya. Don’t forget this.

I have to go now. Continue your chanting.

Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!

All glories to the disappearance day of Rāmānujācārya!

Japa Talk by HG Vedanta Chaitanya Prabhu

Date: 19-02-2024

Theme: Glories of Srila Ramanujacharya

Srila Ramanujacharya is the Acharya for us also though he comes from Sri Sampradaya. There is commonality as He is Vaishnava Acharya. Lord Buddha appeared around 2500 years ago. And we hear when Lord Buddha appeared, that time people used to kill Animals extensively on the name of Vedic Scriptures.

Thus, to refute this philosophy of Veda Shastrafor killing animals Lord Buddha appeared andpreached Ahmisa Pramo dharma, which was His main preaching guideline.

In Caitanya Caritamrita it is mentioned Veda Namanela is called as Nastik and Astik one who does not believe in Vedas and one who does believe in Vedas.

With help of Ashoka Buddhism was propagated in India. Hence people started not following vedas. In this Situation the Lord Shiva appeared as Shankaracharya to re-establish Veda Sastras and defeat Buddhists philosophy. He forced Buddhists to leave India. Hence Buddhism was spread in other countries. Thus, we cannot see Buddhism much in India. And then Shankaracharyapromoted Mayavad Philosophy. Hence, people concluded that Mayavad is the essence of the Vedic philosophy. Though he lived only for 32 years on this planet still we can see the signs of his Preaching still. He preached so much 1400 years back that traces can still be found in whole of India.But still 90% follow Mayavadi philosophy in India. We were also Mayavadis before joining ISKCON, those we pray demigods and other forms of worship is also part Mayavadi Philosophy.

People are following Mayavadi philosophy but they have no clue that they are followers of Mayavadies. Shrila Ramanuja was the first Acharya from Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya. Who protested against this Mayavad Philosophy. Shankaracharya Prabhupada told Advaita concept

Which says there is no difference between God and Jiva. But Sri Ramanujacharya have Visista Advaita. This means yes there is no difference in quality but quanlity is much different. Four different Vaishnav archayas established the Vaishnava philiosphy.

Sri Ramanujacharya was first Acharya of Ramanuja Sampradaya, he beautifully refuted Mayavad Philosophy and established philosophy of bhakti which follows Visista Advaita.

Sunyavadi Philosophy was established by Buddha

Advaitavadi Philosophy means That Jiva and Paramatma is one they are not two entitiesthis philosophy was established by Shankaracharya

Visistha Advaita Philosophy was established by Ramanujacharya which means, there are different qualities of the lord and He is in Sat Cit Anand form. He is eternal bliss.

Nirveshvadi and shunvadi’s are followers of Shankaracharya.

Ramanujacharyais Ramanuja and is calledyounger brother of Lord Rama, he is Laxman and also Avatar of AnantSehas.

He appeared in Sri Perumbadhur village then we goes to Kachi and Srirangam. He is considered to be the incarnation of Lakshman

When he was Just 16 years old, he got married. And after 4 months his father expired. He was executive in his family responsibilities. Later he got an inspiration to read the Scriptures. He though of going to Kanchipur to read scriptures and finally goes there.

There he joined the school run by Yadavachaya. At that he had to learn Mayavad Philosophy – Sharika Bhash written by Sripada Shankaracharya. And even Yamunacharya learnt the same philosophy in his school. As that was very prevalent during that time and He also had to study the same. After sometime when Madhavacharya appeared He also had to learn the same philosophy of Mayavad. However later both of them condemned this Philosophy.

Sri Ramanujacharya was studying in school of Yadavachaya who was very proficient in teaching Mayavad Philosophy. One day Sri Ramanujacharya had a doubt and he went for a clarification to Yadavachaya about some seventh verse in Upanishad. In that verse of Upanishad, Lord’s lips are described. That verse said, Lord’s lips are reddish in appearance. Yadavachaya described that this verse says, Lord’s lips are reddish like the hips of monkey. When Ramanujacharya heard this, he was hurt. And tears started flowing from his eyes

He was massaging the legs of Yada prakash so those tears fell in him. He understood that something is wrong with Ramanujacharya. When asked Ramanujacharya explained that your explanation of Lord’s lips hurt me. Yadava Prakash said if you think I was wrong then explain me what would be the right explanation?

Sri Ramanujacharya replied, Lord’s lips are like the colour of blooming Lotus flower. Later on, there was another conflict between them based on the commentary on a verse from Tetraya Upanishad

He opposed Yadav Prakash’s explanation in front of entire class. Thus, Yadava Prakash felt insulted and told Ramanujacharya, that if he thinks himself to be so intelligent then he should leave his school and start his own school. Ramanujacharya accepted this idea and began conducting his own school. Very soon his school became very famous. Yadav Prakash heard his news and he was very jealous of Ramanujacharya’s success.

He thought if he continued to become famous like this then soon our schools will get shutdown

Thus, he made a plan to kill Ramanujacharya. He organised a pilgrimage to River Ganga and invited Sri Ramanujacharya to join. Ramanujacharya thought of taking his cousin Govinda to also join him.

Very soon Govind became their friend. And Yadav Prakash revealed this secret to Govinda. And Govind gave this news to Sri Ramanujacharya. That these people are planning to kill you the next morning, just run away

Thus, Ramanujacharya left that night itself. Next day morning Govind told Yadav Prakash and his party that Loin has killed Ramanujacharya. They accepted it and proceeded with the pilgrimage

On the other hand, Ramanujacharya lost his way. On his way he met a couple, and asked them about the route which he needed to follow. Those couples were appearing to be very divine. They offered water to Sri Ramanujacharya and as soon as Ramanujacharya drank that water, he lost his consciousness. And had fallen on ground

The next morning when he came back to senses, he found that he was back in Kanchipuram. He understood that that Divine couple was none but Sri Sri Lakshmi Narayan. Ramanujacharya began running the same school. And when Yadav Prakash found that he was alive, he gave up on his plan to kill Ramanujacharya

And later on, Yadav Prakash’s disciple and Yadav Prakash himself accepted Ramanujacharya as his spiritual master. And started following Vaishnava philosophy

This is another incident from Ramanujacharya’s life. Once he went to a spiritual master to receive a secret mantra from that spiritual master. That spiritual master, told Ramanujacharya to not reveal this mantra as it is a very secret one. And it’s very potent, it can deliver the chanter immediately from the clutches of this material world. Ramanujacharya immediately went to the rooftop of the central temple of that village and announced that secret mantra to everyone

As soon as his spiritual master heard this, He went to Ramanujacharya and asked do you know what can happen as the result of this activity, you might have to go to hellish planets for years and years altogether. Ramanujacharya Said, if these people can get delivered, then I am ready to reside in hellish planets eternally. Hearing this even his spiritual master offered his obeisances unto him.

If one wants to hear more about Ramanujacharya one can listen to the series of discussion by Bhakti Rasamirita Swami Maharaj.

Thank you all.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

All Glories to Guru Maharaj.

18 February 2024
Srila Madhvacharya Disappearance Day
Speaker: HG Govind bhakta prabhu

Hare Krsna. Today is the disappearance day of Srila Madhvacharya. When we go to Mutt of Madhvacharya we see his sitting place where he was sitting and writing commentary on the Aitori Upanishad. When he completed it, demigods showered flowers. After this his disciples saw that he had left for Badrinath to meet his Guru Veda vyasa. The Lord says that whenever there is danger on Dharma he appears. One of the names of the Lord is Hanumat Ashrita. This name conveys two  meanings – one who is in the shelter of Hanuman or he who’s shelter Hanuman has taken. Hanuman always appears to execute the Lords tasks. In Dwapar Yuga, his expansion Bhimsen appeared and he was the one who slayed all 100 Kauravas. In Kaliyuga, he appeared as Madhvacharya.

sriman-madhva-mate harih paratarah satyam jagat tattvato
bhedo jiva ganah harer anucharah nichochcha bhavan gatah
muktir naija sukhanubhutir amala bhaktish cha tat sadhanam
hy aksadi trayam pramanam akhilamnayaika vedyo harih (prameya-shloka)

Translation: In Sriman Madhva’s doctrine Hari is Supreme. The world is true (real). The differences are real. The classes of souls are servants of Hari and reach different ultimate states.Mukti (liberation) is the experience of the joy of one’s own nature. That is achieved by flawless devotion and (correct understanding), pratyaksha (observation), etc., are indeed the sources of knowledge. Hari alone is praised in all the Vedas.

1. harih paratarah

Hari is Supreme.

2. satyam jagat

The universe is real.

3. tattvatah bhedah

The differences are real.

4. jiva ganah hareh anucharah

The classes of jivas are servants of Hari.

5. nichochcha bhavan gatah

(The jivas are) headed for higher and lower states.

6. muktih naija-sukha anubhutih

Liberation is the complete experience of the joys of one’s own nature.

7. amala bhaktih cha tat sadhanam

Liberation is achieved by pure devotion and correct understanding.

8. aksaditrayam hi pramanam

The triad of pratyaksha, etc., are indeed the sources of valid knowledge.

9. akhila-amnaya-eka-vedyo harih

All the Vedas speak solely of Hari.

These are the 9 major Prameya given by Madhvacarya and Mahaprabhu’s philosophy is also based on these.He destroys the misunderstanding that people sometimes have.

jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
kṛṣṇera ‘taṭasthā-śakti’ ‘bhedābheda-prakāśa’  (CC Madhya 20.108)

Translation: It is the living entity’s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa because he is the marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa and a manifestation simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, like a molecular particle of sunshine or fire. Kṛṣṇa has three varieties of energy.

One must not distinguish between incarnations. The Lord is all independent and takes various forms on his own as he may will. Nature is the energy of the Lord. Mayavadis claim that the Lord is impersonal and when he comes in contact of Maya, he gets a form.That is not true. The Lord is not affected by Maya, not does he get bound by her. The Lord is the master of Maya, the three modes of Nature.

mayādhyakṣheṇa prakṛitiḥ sūyate sa-charācharam
hetunānena kaunteya jagad viparivartate (BG 9.10)

Translation: This material nature, which is one of My energies, is working under My direction, O son of Kuntī, producing all moving and nonmoving beings. Under its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.

Whereas a Jiva is covered by Maya and entangled into these three modes of Nature.However, even a Jiva can, by proper sadhana, get free from Maya and the three modes of Nature.

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ (BG 7.19)

Translation: After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

Mayavadis claim that this creation is unreal. Just like a rope seems to be a snake in darkness, similarly this creation is just an illusion.But again this is defeated by Madhvacarya. He says that it is not permanent is true, but it is not an illusion, it is a reality. The Lord has created it and he creates it at the beginning of every Kalpa.

nimna-gānāṁ yathā gaṅgā
devānām acyuto yathā
vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ
purāṇānām idam tathā (SB 12.13.16)

Translation: Just as the Gaṅgā is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and Lord Śambhu [Śiva] the greatest of Vaiṣṇavas, so Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the greatest of all Purāṇas.

Here he also defeats the Buddhist philosophy. They claim that the world is temporary and is destroyed every second. But he destroys this by explaining that this is reoccurring and not temporary. He gives 5 examples to explain this.Everyone and everything is not the same. There is difference in spiritual and material creations. We living entities are the marginal energy of the Lord. Even in jivas there is difference. Every Jiva has a different nature.

Even in the immovable there is difference. Trees are immovable and living whereas rocks are immovable and non-living. There is difference between living and non-living. There is so much more to say, so many philosophies, we have been able to cover only 2 of them.I would like to take 5 more minutes.

Srila Madhvacharya says that, Bhakti starts with initial faith and then by association of sadhu, then by Bhajan one gets rid of anarthas.

bhaktya jnanam tato bhaktis tato drsthis tatas ca sa
tato muktis tato bhakti: sa eva syat sukha rupini (Anu vyakhyana iii-4)

Translation: First, a sādhaka earns spiritual knowledge through śraddhā. After that, direct sādhana-bhakti begins; after which, direct knowledge appears in the heart; then, paramā-bhakti; then, mukti; then, svarūpa-bhakti, in which serves Lord Viṣṇu in one’s own constitutional form.

This ladder given by Srila Rupa Goswami in Nectar of Devotion is also found in the philosophies of Sripad Madhvacarya. Some people have a misconception that a perfected practitioner becomes God in the end.But he clarifies that a person can never become God. Even the perfected ones remain eternally as the servants. He explains us about the glories of the Lord.

He has taken excerpts from Brahmavaivarta Purana here to explain this. He says the biggest sinner does not have the capability to commit as many sins as can be destroyed at once by uttering the name of Sri Hari.

nāmno hi yāvatī śaktiḥ 
pāpa-nirharaṇe hareḥ 
tāvat kartuṁ na śaknoti 
pātakaṁ pātakī naraḥ (Bṛhad-viṣṇu Purāṇa)

Translation: Simply by chanting one holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions to more sins than he is able to commit.

That person who has the name of the Lord in his mouth, form of the Lord in his heart, prasadam of the Lord in his stomach, dust from his feet and Charnamrit on his head can never fall down. He says that such a person is as pure as the Lord himself. How can a person who is as pure as Acyuta fall down?

Naivedya Mahatmyam 398-399

tatraiva zrIbrahmanarada-samvade
agnistomasahasraistu/ vajapeyazatairapi
tat phalam prapyate nunam/ visnornaivedyabhaksanat
hrdi rupam mukhe nama/ naivedyamudare hareh
padodakajca nirmmalyam/ mastake yasya so ’cyutah

Translation: In a conversation between Brahma and Narada that is recorded in the Skanda Purana, these statements are found: The merit one obtains by performing one thousand agnistoma sacrifices and one hundred horse sacrifices can undoubtedly be achieved by honoring the remnants of Lord Visnu’s food. One whose heart is decorated with the transcendental form of Lord Hari, whose mouth chants the holy name of Lord Hari, whose stomach is filled with the remnants of Lord Hari’s food, and whose head is adorned with the remnants of Lord Hari’s flower garlands and water that washed His lotus feet, is as glorious as Lord Acyuta Himself.

He says such a person is walking holy dhama. Those hands are worth offering pranams which are engaged in the worship of the Lord.He says that our Dharma is to worship Sri Hari.

Skanda Puran 5.3.157.6

sā jihvā yā hariṃ stauti taccittaṃ yattadarpitam
tāveva kevalau ślāghyau yau tatpūjākarau karau

He says that he who gives up the main duty and engages in other activities like worshiping demigods are at loss. He also describes how to fast forward Ekadashi’s. We have noticed that many times our Ekadashi falls on the Dwadashi for many Smarta Brahmins. We fast on the day when Ekadashi and Dwadashi tithis fallon the same day and not when Dashami and Ekadashi falls on the same day. He explains the purpose of Smartas and asks all to give that up and fast on Dwadashi mix Ekadashi.

He explains that eating grains on the day of Ekadashi is worse offense than eating cow meat or engaging into illicit relationship with one’s own mother.Further he clarifies that he who has applied a Vaishnava tilak on forehead is worshipable even if he is born in a low caste family of dog eaters. One must never make enmity with Vaishnavas. One is a Brahmin if he has developed the qualities of a Brahmin.

nāhaṁ vipro na ca nara-patir nāpi vaiśyo na śūdro
nāhaṁ varṇī na ca gṛha-patir no vanastho yatir vā
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramānanda-pūrnāmṛtābdher
gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ (CC Madhya 13.80)

Translation: I am not a brāhmaṇa, I am not a kṣatriya, I am not a vaiśya or a śūdra. Nor am I a brahmacārī, a householder, a vānaprastha or a sannyāsī. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the maintainer of the gopīs. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with brilliance.

Brahmin is always simple and a Shudra is always cunning. Once Gautam Rishi asked a child, who is your father?So he went to his mother to ask, so she said that I am servant and I am not aware who your father is, so he came and conveyed this to Gautam Rishi. So he said that by this quality of yours I can make out that you are the son of a Brahmin, so he gives him Brahmin upnayana diksha samskara. I shall stop here now. We shall continue if we get a chance.

Mitrabrindarani mataji asks, that why do we offend Shiva by not worshiping him while he is the best among Vaishnavas?

Prabhuji says even if a human applies tilak he becomes worshipable then why there is a question about Shivji. We offer respects to them with the intention considering them as devotee of the Lord.

Hare Krsna.

17 February 2024
Bhishma Ashtami
Speaker: HG Acharya prabhu

HG Padmamali prabhu: Today we will continue with the festival series. Today is Bhisma ashtami. Bhisma dev is one of the 12 Mahajans. Next week it is Nityananda Trayodasi. We will have 3 days session by HG Sarvabhauma prabhu from 20 to 22 February. We request everyone to join.Today We will hear from HG Acharya prabhu.

HG Acharya prabhu: Hearing about Vaishnavas is the best festival. Shantanu Maharaja was married to Ganga devi. But before getting married Ganga devi told him that whatever she does, he wouldn’t question her. When ever a child was born,Ganga devi would put it in the River Ganges.Like this she killed her seven children.Finally on the birth of eighth child,Shantanu Maharaj asked her,why are you doing this.She said you had promised me that if you ever question me, I’ll leave you. So she told that I’m not an ordinary lady but Ganga.

So she left Bhishma which was her eighth child with Shantanu Maharaj. His name was Devavrata. He was trained under Parshuram. After his training,Devavrata was returned back to Shantanu Maharaj. Shantanu Maharaj met Satyavati and wanted to marry her.But Satyavati father’s had conditions for Shantanu Maharaj that her son should become the next ruler of the Kingdom.Shantanu Maharaj was sad as this was against Devavrata, who was going to be the next prince and the most deserving candidate for the throne of the King.

So Devavrata said to his father, I don’t want the kingdom.Please marry Satyavati. But when Devavratawas questioned about his children and the upcoming generation, they may claim the Kingdom in the future.So Devavrata took a vow that he shall not marry and have children his entire life. This strong vow was applauded even by the demigods and his name was given Bhishma.

Bhishma deva even fought with Parshuram once and pleased him and got a blessing that he shall never be defeated in the battle.All his life, he protected the kingdom of Hastinapur.By the mercy of Guru Maharaj, we went with Padayatra to Kurukshetra where the family battle was fought. In the battle,Balaram was not happy so he left for pilgrimage. Lord Krsna said I can’t leave my friendArjuna, so I will not fight but I will be like an advisor and my Narayani army will fight on the other side.

For 18 days, the war was held. During the war, Bhishma deva fought on the side of Duryodhana. One time Duryodhana took a vow that he will kill the 5 Pandavas or he will break Krsna’s vow to not take a weapon. Krsna told Draupadi to go and ask Bhisma deva for blessings. And Bhisma deva was meditating so without looking he gave her the blessings, saying may you be always married. When Duryodhana saw that it was Draupadi, he knew how can this be. I have vowed to kill the 5 Pandavas. So he said this is all Krsna’s tricks.

So next day he fought very strongly against Krsna and Arjuna. Lord Krsna’s transcendental body was pierced by arrows and covered in blood and dirt. Srila Vishvanath Chakravarthi thakur says, that these didn’t hurt the Lord but was pleasing. Just as a lover is pleased by his lovers bites and scratches. In Srimad Bhagavatam, we hear Bhishma deva glorifying the Lord on his death bed.

śrī-bhīṣma uvāca
iti matir upakalpitā vitṛṣṇā
bhagavati sātvata-puṅgave vibhūmni
sva-sukham upagate kvacid vihartuṁ
prakṛtim upeyuṣi yad-bhava-pravāhaḥ (ŚB 1.9.32)

Translation: Bhīṣmadeva said: Let me now invest my thinking, feeling and willing, which were so long engaged in different subjects and occupational duties, in the all-powerful Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He is always self-satisfied, but sometimes, being the leader of the devotees, He enjoys transcendental pleasure by descending to the material world, although from Him only the material world is created.

tri-bhuvana-kamanaṁ tamāla-varṇaṁ
ravi-kara-gaura-vara-ambaraṁ dadhāne
vapur alaka-kulāvṛtānanābjaṁ
vijaya-sakhe ratir astu me ’navadyā (ŚB 1.9.33)

Translation: Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has appeared on this earth in His transcendental body, which resembles the bluish color of the tamāla tree. His body attracts everyone in the three planetary systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering yellow dress and His lotus face, covered with paintings of sandalwood pulp, be the object of my attraction, and may I not desire fruitive results.

He was given the blessing to choose his own time of death. So even when he was lying on a bed of arrows yet he was glorifying the Lord. He worshiped the Lord in the chivalrous mood. When he passed away everyone was quite. Lord Krsna was present there.

anta-kāle ca mām eva
smaran muktvā kalevaram
yaḥ prayāti sa mad-bhāvaṁ
yāti nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ (BG 8.5)

Translation: And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

Yudhishtir Maharaj became very sad. Bhisma deva served the Lord by pleasing him in the battle. Please read the Bhisma Stuti in the first Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. Bhisma is known as the great Grandfather.

HG Padmamali prabhu: Bhishma deva faced so many difficulties and tolerated so many things. Yet he was always in the service. Similarly HG Acharya prabhu is always in his service like Bhishma deva. From one padayatra, today we have seven padayatra’s. And Lord Chaitanya’s prophecy is being fulfilled in every town and village.

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

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

This is the day before yesterday at a gas station. Guru Maharaj was welcomed on the way. We heard yesterday from HH Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj that Guru Maharaj had got a Gaudiya math temple in Bhadra. And Guru Maharaj said, Srila Prabhupada was present and I had written him a letter. This was the 1st temple gifted to Iskcon by Gaudiya Math.

Hare Krsna!

Date: 14 February 2024
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Topic: Basant Panchami
HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

Hare Krishna!

You all are welcome. Today is Basant Panchami. I am in Pandharpur Dham. Today aftersomany time,I have heard the chirping of the birds on a tree, in which Koel are also there. It was a wonderful incident.

BG 9.10:
mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ
sūyate sa-carācaram
hetunānena kaunteya
jagad viparivartate

Translation:

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

Why those birds are here today only? Because they are inspired by Krishna. They are announcing that Spring season is starting from today onwards. I was amused and surprised on hearing the chirping.

Today is Basant Panchami. Spring season is starting from today. Krishna told about different seasons in Bhagavat Gita. One season is of two months. From today onwards, Spring is starting.

BG 10.35:

bṛhat-sāma tathā sāmnāṁ
gāyatrī chandasām aham
māsānāṁ mārga-śīrṣo ’ham
ṛtūnāṁ kusumākaraḥ

Translation:

Of the hymns in the Sāma Veda I am the Bṛhat-sāma, and of poetry I am the Gāyatrī. Of months I am Mārgaśīrṣa [November-December], and of seasons I am flower-bearing spring. Krishna saysI am the spring season in all seasons. Winter season has passed and the upcoming season is summer.

Vaishnav Song, Bhajahu Re Mann, By Govind Das:
śīta ātapa bāta bariṣaṇa
e dina jāminī jāgi re
biphale sevinu kṛpaṇa durajana
capala sukha-laba lāgi’ re

Translation:

It is the desire and great longing of Govinda Dasa to engage himself in the nine processes of bhakti, namely hearing the glories of Lord Hari and chanting those glories, constantly remembering Him and offering prayers to Him, serving the Lord’s lotus feet, serving the Supreme Lord as a servant, worshiping Him with flowers and incense and so forth, serving Him as a friend, and completely offering the Lord one’s very self.

In Mayapur, in all dvipa, there is Hritu Dvipa. All seasons are residing here together in this Dvipa. This was the time when Mahaprabhu was just going to appear. All the seasons were debating, which season Mahaprabhu would appear. So, Sri Krsna Chaitanya mahaprabhu appeared in this spring festival period. Sri Krishna Chaitanya mahaprabhu appeared on the full moon of the Falguna Month.

Today the entire India celebrates Vasant Panchami in their own way and culture. Vasant Panchami is celebrated in Pandharpur also. Today marks the day of marriage of Sri Sri Rukmini DwarkaDheesh. This festival is celebrated with a great joy and happiness in Vrindavan, Jaggannath Puri, Orisa, Mayapur, Bengal and so many places. This is celebrated differently in different parts of the country. The deities are decorated with green or yellow garments which is the significance of leaves of the trees. People are also wearing yellow garment in Vraja. Our  first Vraja mandal parikrama started on this day. We would see yellow mustard plant flowers everywhere.

Today is the appearance day of Srimati Vishnupriya. She appeared about 500 years ago. Just by hearing their transcendental name, one can purified. Their glories are innumerable! In this zoom temple we have been discussing about the appearance and disappearance days of
Acharayas.

Today’s is also the disappearance of Srila Vishvanath Chakravarthy Thakur. His disappearance was in Vrindavan. He was the guard and protector of Gaudiya Parampara. It is also the appearance day of Srila Pundarik VidyaNidhi who was king Vrishabhanu in Krsna Leela. Mahaprabhu also greets him as father. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Radha Rani and Pundarika Vidyanidhi is Vrishabhanu.

Today is the appearance day of Srila Raghunandan Thakur who was the son of Mukunda. He once offers bhoga to Krsna who accepted the entire plate. He has so much love and devotion for Lord.

Today is also the appearance day of Srila Raghunath das Goswami. Mahaprabhu instructed Srila Swarup Damodar to take care of him. He lived in Jagannath puri and then in Vrindavan. He is main Goswami in six Goswamis.  Today is also Saraswati Puja.

ŚB 1.2.4:
nārāyaṇaṁ namaskṛtya
naraṁ caiva narottamam
devīṁ sarasvatīṁ vyāsaṁ
tato jayam udīrayet

Translation:

Before reciting this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the very means of conquest, one should offer respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, unto Nara-nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, the supermost human being, unto mother Sarasvatī, the goddess of learning, and unto Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the author. She is mentioned in various scriptures. She is the power of Krishna and the power becomes the personality.

Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.8:
parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate
svābhāvikī jñāna-bala-kriyā ca

Translation:

The Supreme Lord has nothing to do. Nothing is equal to Him or greater than Him. He acts in different phases by manifesting His parts and parcels, which are all simultaneously differently situated by His unlimited, variegated potencies. Each potency acts quite naturally in sequences, providing Him full knowledge, power and pastimes. She is the special personality. She resides in the tongue of Krsna and Krsna narrates the
scriptures. Goddess Sarasvati also worshipped at the time of Vidya Aarambha Samskar.

So, this is not just one day festival, but it is celebrated throughout the season. Holi starts from today and continues until Falgun Purnima. Today is the first day of Holi. Holi is a festival of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Nanda Maharaj announces a vacation in Vrindavan to children. Yay! No cow herding! Only play! So, this is vacation times for Krsna Balaram and the cowherd boys of Vraja. Vasant song is sung. Flowers bloom on trees. The birds are inspired to sing! The wind blows gently with a slight chill. It carries the aroma of flowers all around. The air blows over many ponds, so, it becomes little chilled. This atmosphere is conducive to Krsna’s past times. Krsna is dressed in a particular attire.

ŚB 10.21.5:

barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ
bibhrad vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām
randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayāpūrayan gopa-vṛndair
vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ

Translation:

Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karṇikāra flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayantī garland, Lord Kṛṣṇa exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vṛndāvana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories.

So, Krsna keeps one flower in both ears. Alternately changing it from one ear to the other. He does this to attract Radha Rani and Gopis. Krsna’s yellow garments are not ordinary. They emanate the dazzle of the lightening. Krsna is decorated with five types and colours of flower garland which extends up to the knees of Krsna. He holds the flute in His hand and calls out to the Gopis and to tell them the place of their meetings. There’s a different tune for calling out to cows, Gopis and so on. His friends also dress up nicely.

Kavi Karnapuri’s Ananda Vrindavan Champu explains this spring festival very nicely. A special rasa pastime starts on Sharad Purnima in Kartik month. But the Vasant rasa pastime is more special. Paurnamasi announces that Today is Magh Purnima and there will be the great festival. She tells the Gopis to must pray to Vasant Madan who is himself Madan Mohan. Paurnamasi is Yoga Maya. She makes all arrangements for the Lord’s pastimes.

Vrinda devi is glorious. Vrindavan is the forest of Vrinda Devi. She is the event manager of Krsna’s Pastimes. She instructs the Gopis to reach near Ashoka tree and worship Vasant Mohan. There, Matangini and kinnari will sing the songs of spring festival. So now Radha Rani enters the forests of Vrindavan with her Gopis. Kavi Karnapur tells Radha Rani usually goes to Nanda Gaon for cooking for Krsna.

Krsna and His cowherd boys also enter the forest of Vraja. They are singing and playing the various instruments. They hear the nice songs coming from some distance. They think is this the echo of our songs or what! So, Madhu Mangal goes to find out who is singing this song. He finds out that Matangi was singing. Many instruments are playing. He went to Krsna and told the same. He gets offended when Krsna praises the other party’s song of Radha Rani. So, he goes again and this activity keeps going on. Madhu Mangal tries to oppose them. Madhu Mangal also goes to pluck flowers. But he is caught by Radha Rani and Gopis. So, he shouts Krsna! Krsna! Help! help! This is an opportunity for Krsna to meet Radha Rani and behold. There is a war that breaks out between Radha and Krsna. They throw balls of flowers on each other. Then, they throw colours and coloured waters too. There is a cloud of colours in the sky. Radha Rani and Gopis fall unconscious. So, Madhu Mangal announces that their party has won. Radha Rani and Gopis gets up and attacked Krsna and cowherd Boys and they won. So, this is transcendental competition. But eventually both parties get together and feast with Chhappana Bhoga arranged by Vrinda Devi. Then they take rest.

NOI, Verse 4:

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

Translation:

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

This is Magh Purnima Night. Crores of Gopis participate in this Rasa Leela pastime. Radha Rani reaches with Her core group to play with colours. But when Rasa Leela past time begins, all cowherd boys leave. There is a circle of Ashta Sakhi, then 108, and then 1008 sakhi’s circle and so on. There is the reciprocation of Rasa or pleasure.

CC, Madhya Lila, 19.230:

itīdṛk-sva-līlābhir ānanda-kuṇḍe
sva-ghoṣaṁ nimajjantam ākhyāpayantam
tadīyeśita-jñeṣu bhaktair jitatvaṁ
punaḥ prematas taṁ śatāvṛtti vande

Translation:

‘Again let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. O my Lord, I offer my obeisances hundreds and thousands of times with all affection because by Your personal pastimes You plunge the gopīs into an ocean of nectar. Appreciating Your
opulence, devotees generally declare that You are always subjugated by their feelings.’

There are only Radha, Krsna and Gopis. So, the parents are not present at this time. This is the topmost of all pastimes of Krsna. Srila Shuka Dev Goswami also mentions in the Rasa Panch adhyaay, whoever hear or recite these pastimes faithfully, they attain pure devotion.

ŚB 10.33.39:

vikrīḍitaṁ vraja-vadhūbhir idaṁ ca viṣṇoḥ
śraddhānvito ’nuśṛṇuyād atha varṇayed yaḥ
bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati pratilabhya kāmaṁ
hṛd-rogam āśv apahinoty acireṇa dhīraḥ

Translation:

Anyone who faithfully hears or describes the Lord’s playful affairs with the young gopīs of Vṛndāvana will attain the Lord’s pure devotional service. Thus, he will quickly become sober and conquer lust, the disease of the heart.

CC, Adi Lila, 1.5:

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād
ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau
caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ
rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

Translation:

The loving affairs of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are transcendental manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are one in Their identity, previously They separated Themselves. Now these two transcendental identities have again united, in the form of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī although He is Kṛṣṇa Himself.

By hearing these pastimes, we will be freed from lust. So, this is Krsna’s special mercy on us. Srila Jayadev Goswami in Geet Govind has explained about Vasant Rasa Lila and not the Sharad Purnima Rasa Leela. In Jagannath puri, in these days, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Gambhira is secured by security guards. Nevertheless, He escapes into the gardens hearing the sounds of flute of krsna in the emotion of Radha Rani. He smells and amused that this is the fragrance of Krsna’s body parts. He was searing Krsna here and there. Sometimes he fells down on the earth in separation. Cc Antya 19th chapter describes this spring festival. It takes place in the foothills of Govardhan. He wants to be only in the association of Radha Rani. So, he disappears and He is looking for Radha Rani. Soon the Gopis reach there and Krsna wishes to hide Himself.

He pretends that He is not looking for Radha Rani. He covers Himself with a veil and assumes the form handed form. The Gopis say Namo Narayanah! When they enquire about Krsna, the four handed form turns into His two-handed form. Thus, Krsna resumes His past times with
the Gopis and Radha Rani in the Nivriti Nikunja of Radha Rani.

So, for the next two months these past times will take place. The spring festival is a platform for all these transcendental pastimes. Holi also has started from today. Thus, Sri Krsna Chaitanya, who is non-different from Radha and Krsna, also appears.

The festival of Holi is also started from today. In Barsana, Holi is celebrated by beating with wooden rod.
Then, at the day of Falgun Purnima, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears.

CC Ādi 3.81:

antaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ bahir gauraṁ
darśitāṅgādi-vaibhavam
kalau saṅkīrtanādyaiḥ sma
kṛṣṇa-caitanyam āśritāḥ

Translation:

“I take shelter of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is outwardly of a fair complexion but is inwardly Kṛṣṇa Himself. In this Age of Kali He displays His expansions [His aṅgas and upāṅgas] by performing congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord.
Krishna, who Plays the pastimes with Gopis and Radha Rani, is now become Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sundar Lala Sachi Dulaala! Mahaprabhu, thus, begins His transcendental kirtan and we must also enter this eternal pastime. This is the ultimate goal of life.

Vaishnav Song, Udilo Aruna Puraba Bhage, Verse 1:

udilo aruna puraba-bhage,
dwija-mani gora amani jage,
bhakata-samuha loiya sathe,
gela nagara-braje

Translation:

When the rising sun appeared in the East, the jewel of the twice-born, Lord Gaurasundara, awakened, and, taking His devotees with Him, He went all over the countryside towns and villages We also become eligible to join the dancing party of Radha and Krsna. By this, we can enter in
the Vrindavan Dham and in the pastimes of Radha and Krsna.
Hare Krishna!

Topic: Glories of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami
Date:  13^th February 2024
Speaker: HG Krsna Bhakt Prabhu

HG Padmamali Prabhuji:

PAMHO.

We haveHG Krsna Bhakt Prabhuji fortoday’s japa talk on an important topic.

HG Krsna Bhakt Prabhu:

Tomorrow is Vasant Panchami andwe will celebrate a lot of appearances and disappearances of a lot of Acharyas and also tithis. We have started the Vasant Panchami series from the past two days. We will discuss about one very revered amongst the six goswamis, Srila Raghunath Das Goswami’s pastimes today. One’s life success is dependent upon karma, dharma and vairagya. Raghunath Goswami appeared in 1470 in Krishnapurwhich is today known as Hooghly. His father was a big business and his name was Goverdhan Majumdarand his uncle’s name was Hiranya Majumdar. His wealth and income was huge. It is believed that he has a boat full of gold coins.He was the king’s tax collector. He used to give 20 lakh tax in gold coins at that time which was very high. He had shakti, money, administration etc. Being his son, Raghunath Goswami could have enjoyed these things but he was a saintly person who had no interest in worldly things.

CC Madhya 6.254

vairāgya-vidyā-nija-bhakti-yoga-
śikṣārtham ekaḥ puruṣaḥ purāṇaḥ
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-śarīra-dhārī
kṛpāmbudhir yas tam ahaṁ prapadye

Translation

“Let me take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has descended in the form of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to teach us real knowledge, His devotional service and detachment from whatever does not foster Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He has descended because He is an ocean of transcendental mercy. Let me surrender unto His lotus feet.

His life is a lesson for all of us. After having so much, his goal was to attain the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He had the association of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Haridas Thakur in his childhood which increased his detachment.

One time when Raghunath Das Goswami went to Jagannath Puri leaving his home to meet Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he told him to return and said that a time will come when he will get his association. He then went home that time. He used to always leave his home. His parents as they was very wealthy had security guards so that he doesn’t run away. Just like today’s parents don’t like when children spent more time with Brahmacharis. So, to get rid of this problem, they married him to a beautiful wife and so everyone thought he will be engrossed in household life but still he used to run away. So they used to tie him with a rope so that he doesn’t run away. They thought this is the best way to stop him from meeting Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He had money like Indra, Apsara like wifebut when ropes like this could not bind him then what about this mere rope. He had the blessings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhuhimself that’s ehu he was not attracted to these material things in life.

CC Antya 6.220

mahāprabhura bhakta-gaṇera vairāgya pradhāna
yāhā dekhi’ prīta hana gaura-bhagavān

Translation

Renunciation is the basic principle sustaining the lives of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees. Seeing this renunciation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is extremely satisfied.

He ran away and knew that if he will follow the usual way to Jagannath Puri, then he will be caught by soldiers. So, he chose a forest way which was tough. He met Svaroop Damodar Goswami and inunder his guidance he stayed with him in Jagannath Puri. His parents tried to bring him back but they failed so they used to send him Rs. 400 every month for his maintenance. But he used this money to feed Vaishnavas and devotees of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. That time the value of Rs. 400 was huge in 1450s. So after 2 years when he thought that this money is not good as it was collected from tax which usually no one wants to give. That’s why he stopped taking that and started begging on Singha door of Jagannath Puri temple. He was son of such a weralthy person still he started begging.

After sometime he used to think that he was so fallen and that he had Vaishya Vritti and he used to think that he has become a Vaishya by asking people to give him food based on their dressing. So he left that as well. He used to survive on buttermilk for the whole day. But then again after sometime he thought that this buttermilk had a lot of butter, so he also stopped having that. Then he used to collect the Jagannath Prasad which was not even suitable for cows and animals that he used to have after cleaning it. So, this was his level of renunciation. He left his father’s money, begging on Singha door, buttermilk and now he is having this prasadam. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took that  prasadam from his hand and started eating that. This is how we can understand that how Chaitanya Mahaprabhu can be merciful towards his devotees.

Knowledge and renunciation is difficult to come unless we increase our devotion. If we are strongly engaged in the devotional services then we will remain fixed in Krsna Consciousness. Till the time our bhakti is a show off then it is not good. There are four signs that we are getting the mercy of the Lord. First is Seva bhaav increases and we become successful in service in the attitude of service and by the mercy of Guru. The second sign is that we help other devotees to get Krsna Kripa and we don’t gossip about them. Third is when we get Krsna Kripa then we have more responsibilities. Fourth is that when we serve the Lord then the Lord gives us tough service to glorify us. So that  people speak about that devotee. Those who have nothing, they speak about each other and criticise other people. Just like Kunti Maharani suffered a lot from her childhood but she always wanted to have more difficulties so that she doesn’t forget Krsna. So many things happened like Laxshaya Garha pastime, disrobing of Draupadi, Krsna protecting Parikshit Maharaj in the womb of Uttara, Krsna saved Bheem when he was poisoned by Kaurvas, when Krsna saved the Pandavas from different warriors assembled in the Kurukshetra warbut still she was always in prayerful mood. If we would have been in her place he would have asked Lord to stop these things in our lives. Even after facing so many difficulties, Kunti Maharani says:

ŚB 1.8.25

vipadaḥ santu tāḥ śaśvat
tatra tatra jagad-guro
bhavato darśanaṁ yat syād
apunar bhava-darśanam

Translation

I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.

Give us problems one after another so that we remember you and have your darshans. Oce we have your darshan we will be freed from the cycle of birth and death. Krsna selects a person whomhe loves and gives them tough situationsto test them. He is trying to teach us through these tough situations and they never leave his lotus feet. So we can see that although Raghunath Goswami hasd everything with him still he was begging to meet his daily needs. He came to Jagannath Puri to fix his mind in the lotus feet of Krsna. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu comes when Vairagya comes in him and he starts eating that Prasadam which is even unfit for animals to consume. So to attain Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy we need to have renunciation in life.

So when Raghunath Goswami came from Saptagiri to Panihati, everyone informed Nityanand Prabhu that Raghunath Goswami came.Then Nityanand Prabhu asked for him and called him a thief.Everyone was thinking that how he can be a thief? Then Nityanand Prabhu who is Balrama himself an expansion of Adi-sesha, who is the Adi-Guru, said that Krsna’s service is Guru’s wealth and without Guru’s permission he has stolen Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy and that’s why he is a thief. He directly went to have the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu.He wants to override me. Then Raghunath Goswami asked him that how can he serve him. So only desire to serve is not important and service is successful when we serve through the right medium. The sequence is Vaishnava seva, Guru seva and then Bhagavat seva. This is only:

Sri Gurvastakam by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam (Text 8)

Translation

By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.

Sometimes we just do Guru’s service.Guru service means serving the disciples of Guru. According  to VaishnavaSadachar we should worship them as our Shiksha Guru. We should worship Shiksha Guru is Diksha Guru and Diksha Guru as Krsna.

sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair
uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ
kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam( Text 7)

Translation

The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna]

It is written in all the literatures to serve Guru like God. Raghunath Goswami was asked by Nityanand Prabhu to feed chipped rice with curd to all the Vaishanavas. He was from a very wealthy Goswami and he had three or four servant help him and to cook and three or four servant to hold his coins but Nityanand Prabhu asked him to prepare chipped rice with curd and not to construct temples. The consciousness behind seva is important. Then everyone started selling chipped rice with curd. How much they were buying all was sold instantly. So, Panihati was filled with devotees.Since there was no space, so many devotees sat in their boats and when still no space was left, then stood in the  river and enjoyed the feast. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared seeing his service and then Nityanand Prabhu started feeding him. Panihati festival is celebrated every year. This happens two days after Nirjala Ekadashi which is full of Tapasya and then there is feast on this day. So this is Danda Utsav because Raghunath Goswami didn’t follow the medium to attaining the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In 1543-44 went to Vrindavan on the instruction of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Radhakunda.

NOI 9

vaikuṇṭhāj janito varā madhu-purī tatrāpi rāsotsavād
vṛndāraṇyam udāra-pāṇi-ramaṇāt tatrāpi govardhanaḥ
rādhā-kuṇḍam ihāpi gokula-pateḥ premāmṛtāplāvanāt
kuryād asya virājato giri-taṭe sevāṁ vivekī na kaḥ

Translation

The holy place known as Mathurā is spiritually superior to Vaikuṇṭha, the transcendental world, because the Lord appeared there. Superior to Mathurā-purī is the transcendental forest of Vṛndāvana because of Kṛṣṇa’s rāsa-līlā pastimes. And superior to the forest of Vṛndāvana is Govardhana Hill, for it was raised by the divine hand of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and was the site of His various loving pastimes. And, above all, the superexcellent Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa stands supreme, for it is overflooded with the ambrosial nectarean prema of the Lord of Gokula, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Where, then, is that intelligent Person who is unwilling to serve this divine Rādhā-kuṇḍa, which is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill?

In the Nectar of Instruction Rupa Goswami mentions that the best place on this Earth is Mathura, even from that twelve forests of Vrindavan are important were he performed his childhood pastimes, then Giriraj which he lifted for seven days and then is Radhakund. The love which Krsna has for Radharani, same it is there in Radhakunda. So the best place in this entire world is Sri Radhakunda. So he started his bhajan on Radhakunda. Radhakunda and Shyamkunda were appearing as small lakes and although he wanted to make it nicely but he didn’t have money to do so. So no work could be done on that. So once a Seth was going to Badrikashram and it is said that Badrika deity himself came in his dream and asked him to give all his money to Raghunath Goswami so that he can construct the Radhakund and Shyamkund. He became very happy.  So when Radhakund was made in square shape, so trees came in between and there were five trees and these were actually the five pandavas who appeared in the dream of Raghunath Goswami one day before the construction began and they asked them to not cut them as they wanted to participate in the pastimes of Radha and Krsna. That’s why Radhakund and Shyamkund are in zig-zag shape.

Raghunath Goswami is from Srimati Radhrani’s team in Goloka. So Radharani didn’t like when Krsna meets Chandravali. She hates Chandravali. Once someone served buttermilk to Raghunath Goswami in Palash leaf cup which came from the village of Chandravali so he threw that cup as he was from the party of Radharani. So he didn’t wanted to touch anything which came from her village. So one day Sanatana Goswami saw that  Radharani herself gave her cloth to save him form heat while he was chanting. So, Santana Goswami told him this and requested him not to give service to Radharani. But  Raghunath Goswami still didn’t even made a hut for him.

Once a lion came to Radhakund to drink water so to protect him, Krsna stood there with a stick so that his sadhana was not disturbed. At that time Radhakund was different than now. So then again Santana Goswami warned him and he was instructed to make a hut. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu  gave him a shila to do Parikrama seeing his devotion. He said this will be your Aaradhya from now.

CC Antya 6.294

prabhu kahe, — “ei śilā kṛṣṇera vigraha
iṅhāra sevā kara tumi kariyā āgraha

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed Raghunātha dāsa, “This stone is the transcendental form of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Worship the stone with great eagerness.”

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu  gave him shila that this is Krsna himself. Every Goswami had different deities of Radha Krsna, Santana Goswami has deity of Sri Radha Madan Mohan but Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave him a shila to worship. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura said that he appeared in the form of stone which was worshipped by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself for three years. He gave him Goverdhan shila and sai he is the form of Krsna only. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura writes in his Anubhāṣya that in the opinion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the govardhana-śilā, the stone from Govardhana Hill, was directly the form of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Mahārāja Nanda. The Lord used the stone for three years, and then in the heart of Raghunātha dāsa the Lord awakened devotional service to the stone. The Lord then gave the stone to Raghunātha dāsa, accepting him as one of His most confidential servants.However, some envious people conclude that because Raghunātha dāsa had not taken birth in the family of a brāhmaṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not give him the right to worship the Deity directly but instead gave him a stone from Govardhana. This kind of thought is nārakī, or hellish. As stated in the Padma Purāṇa,

arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhīr guruṣu nara-matir vaiṣṇave jāti-buddhir
viṣṇor vā vaiṣṇsnavānāṁ kali-mala-mathane pāda-tīrthe ’mbu-buddhiḥ
śrī-viṣṇor nāmni mantre sakala-kaluṣa-he śabda-sāmānya-buddhir viṣṇau sarveśvareśe tad-itara-
sama-dhīr yasya vā nārakī saḥ

Translation

One who thinks the Deity in the temple to be made of wood or stone, who thinks of the spiritual master in the disciplic succession as an ordinary man, who thinks the Vaiṣṇava in the Acyuta-gotra to belong to a certain caste or creed or who thinks of caraṇāmṛta or Ganges water as ordinary water is taken to be a resident of hell.”

If one thinks that the worshipable śālagrāma-śilā is a mere stone, that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being or that a pure Vaiṣṇava preaching the bhakti cult all over the world is a member of a particular caste or material division of society, he is considered a nārakī, a candidate for hellish life. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed that the govardhana-śilā, the stone taken from Govardhana, is nondifferent from the body of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He indirectly advised such foolish persons that one should not be envious of a Vaiṣṇava who belongs to a different caste or sect. One should accept a Vaiṣṇava as transcendental. In this way one can be saved; otherwise, one is surely awaiting a hellish life.

Goverdhan says that Shailoasmi which means that there is no difference between this shila and Giriraj. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu worshipped it himself.Once Raghunath das Goswami was offering Lord in his mind. So when he offered Kheer to Krsna and Krsna asked him to have kheer, he said that he only has buttermilk. But when Krsna insisted saying that he has made so nice kheer and he fed him the kheer which he offered. All this is mental offering while he is taking rest. After sometime he had fever and when in this new spread in Jatipura so then  Vitthalanath Goswami  called his doctor.When the doctor did the  Nadi pariksha and said that he had eaten kheer and that’s why he is suffering. So Vitthalanand Goswami said that from the past twenty years I have seen that he is only having one cup buttermilk. Then how is this possible?So the doctor gave him a medicine to vomit and  then he vomited. Then Raghunath Goswami narrated the pastime and said that he didn’t expected that it affect his physical body.So this was his service.What we can learn from his pastimes is that first we we need to develop good loving environment for devotees. Second is to think positivity in all situations and  third he used to pay dandvat for all devotes we just one dandvat. He used to pay thousand dandvat to Giriraj, thousand to devotees and thousand to Vaishnavas everyday. And we pay only one dandvat to all. Fourth is to maintain good relations with devotees. When we do Adan and Padan is important to perform service for Krsna .Then that is nice. When we serve deeply then we will go deep in Bhakti. We will not float in bhakti. Those fishes which swim in deep waters then we can skip from birds who can pick those who swim on the surface. Similarly if we are deep in bhakti, then we will be protected from Maya. He disappeared in 1586 and his samdhi is on Radhakund near Kundeshwara Mahdev temple.

Song by Bhakti Vinod Thakur
rādhā-kunḍa-taṭa-kuñja-kuṭīr
govardhana-parvata, jāmuna-tīr

He performs seva in Goloka as Rati Manjari. He is Radharani’s sakhi. When we go to Vrindavan so we should pray in his lotus feet that wecan also renounce everything for Krsna and leave our material desires. Then only he can attain Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. So we should beg for his mercy.

Srila Raghunath Goswami ki Jay!

Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!

Date- 12^th Feb 2024
Speaker – HH Bhakti Prema Swami Maharaj
Theme- Glories of Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

Hare Krishna! I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to HH Lokanath Swami Guru Maharaj. He has done such wonderful arrangement that thousands of devotees daily chant together and listen about the Lord. He is Acharya. He is showing how in this present time we can utilize the facilities like media in the service of the Supreme Lord. Like this Gurudeva Acharya should keep guiding us, this is the only prayer at the Lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and the Supreme Lord.

So Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur is our previous Acharya. We should feel proud seeing our strong Guru Parampara. Right in the beginning of Bhagavad Gita, Srila Prabhupada has given Guru Parampara. This is our pride that we have such Guru Parampara. Srila Prabhupada, Bhakti Vinod Thakur, Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur is one of them. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur was born in 1638 in Nadia district of West Bengal, in the village named as Devagrama. From his childhood he was a scholar. In those days education means study of the scriptures. It was not like the present time, study to work in factories. In West Bengal there is another district Murshidabad, there was one more scholar, named as Radha Raman Cakravarthy. From him Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur took initiation and in Bengal only he started study of scriptures and preaching. Later on, he saw that in Vrndavana because of Aurangzeb, the Vrindavana culture is getting ruined. Therefore he thought to go in Vrindavan and serve there. So he went to Vrindavan. He spent rest of his life in Vrindavan.

Sub-theme- Writings of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur’s writing is very impressive. When we read the purports of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, we feel that this situation is crated by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur himself. When we will read his purports, we will see that there are many complicated subjects, but he has explained these complicated subjects deeply and very beautifully. For example, if within any discussion, dialogue, why this particular situation came? What was the intention behind this?  Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur used to dive deeply in that and then used to write the purport. I will give one example. In Bhagavad Gita Arjuna says-

gurūn ahatvā hi mahānubhāvān
śreyo bhoktuṁ bhaikṣyam apīha loke
hatvārtha-kāmāṁstu gurūn ihaiva
bhuñjīya bhogān rudhira-pradigdhān

Translation

It would be better to live in this world by begging than to live at the cost of the lives of great souls who are my teachers. Even though desiring worldly gain, they are superiors. If they are killed, everything we enjoy will be tainted with blood.[BG 2.5]

gurūn ahatvā hi mahānubhāvān, O Madhusudan I do not want to enjoy Kingdom by killing my spiritual master. So, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur says, why he is calling Lord as Madhusudan, because Arjuna wanted to remind Krishna, O Krishna, You have killed demon Madhu, that’s why Your name is Madhusudan. That is okay that You killed a demon, but why are You asking me to kill Guru? Why You want me to become Gurusudan? Like this Visvanatha Cakravarti is seeing in minute details.

Sub-theme- Madhurya Kadambini

Srila Prabhupada writes in his Bangla bhajan –

mādhurya kādambinī grandtha cakravartī gāya
siddhānta dekhaha tathā kibā tāńra rāy-

Translation

According to the scripture “Madhurya Kadambini” written by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, see what conclusion is and what his judgment is.[from āpaniācari prabhu jīvereśikhāya Text 4, Gaudiya Patrika. Prabhupada]

Prabhupada is saying, Visvanatha Cakravarti has written Madhurya Kadambini. siddhānta dekhaha tathā kibā tāńra rāy see what the philosophy, Siddhanta is and what his judgment is. Prabhupada says, Krishna Prema is nitya siddha. No one can give it. This is not a thing which can be given by Guru or devotees or the Lord. No one can give it, because Krishna Bhakti is connected with the soul. It is nitya siddha. Now everyone is already having it, then why someone gets it and someone doesn’t? So Prabhupada says, to understand this, you need to read Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur’s Madhurya Kadambini.

Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur has written many literatures. From the name Madhurya Kadambini we can understand the meaning. Madhuryamaya and Kadambini mean clouds. Clouds give water, but the source of water is the ocean. But the expansion of ocean is cloud. Ocean will not come to your place, clouds will come. Clouds come in the sky and they do not bring salty water. They bring sweet water. Clouds are more merciful than the ocean. And this particular cloud is Madhurya cloud. In this book the chapters are named as Vrishti, the rain. What is in the clouds? Nothing except water! So, the book’s name is Madhurya Kadambini and the chapters are named as Prathama Vrishti, Dvitiya Vrishti, like that. Vrishti means rain drops. This is the name of the chapters. Just as, Rupa Goswami gave his literature the name Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, the ocean of nectar of devotion; this is Ocean. Then how can one divide the ocean. So he divided as pürva-vibhäga (eastern division), daksina-vibhäga (southern division), pascima-vibhäga (western division) and uttara-vibhäga (northern division). And how this division will be divided? Then he named each chapter as Pratham Lahari, Dvitiya Lahari, Tritiya lahari, like that. Lahari, lahar means wave.

Sub-theme- Other writings of Visvnatha Cakravati Thakur

Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur is so humble; he has done promotion of literatures written by the Acharyas and considered his writings as insignificant in front of them. Rupa Goswami wrote Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur named his own literature as Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu Bindhu. Bindu of Sindhu, the drop of ocean. ‘I am not expanding that Ocean. No, I am explaining only one drop, Bindu of that Sindhu, ocean.’

There is one well known literature of Narottama Das Thakur, written in Bangala. In that he has given more than hundred songs in Bangala. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur wrote commentary on it in Sanskrit. Normally Sanskrit literatures are translated in Bangala, Hindi or English, but Visvanatha Cakravarthi is so talented, he wrote commentary in Sanskrit on ‘Prema Bhakti Vilasa’, the book by Narottama Das Thakur. He gave beautiful commentary on Srimad Bhagavat named as ‘Sarartha Darshini’. Sar-artha, by the name itself we understand the meaning. In that he explains, why this particular thing or statement is spoken or given in Srimad Bhagavatam. Like this he has written many books. He has also written one more important book, ‘Krishna Bhavana Amrita’. Book’s name is Krishna Bhavanamrita. From there only Prabhupada took ISKCON’s name, International Krishna Bhavanamrta/Krishna consciousness movement. Krishna Bhavana is like Amrita, nectar. He has not only written Madhurya Kadambini, but also written Aishvarya Kadambini. So, one is Madhurya and another is Aishvarya. He has also written Sankalp Kalpa Druma, Ragavartma Chandrika, Chamatkar Chandrika, Mantrartha Dipika, Svapna Vilasamrta, and others. He also wrote Gitavali, Stavamrta Lahari.

Sub-theme- vyavasäyätmikä buddhih

In the purports of Bhagavad Gita Prabhupada mentions many times the definitions given by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur. In the 41^st sloka of second chapter

vyavasäyätmikä buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-säkhä hy anantäs ca
buddhayo ‘vyavasäyinäm

Translation

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

There, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur defines ‘vyavasäyätmikä buddhih’as, ‘one should accept the teachings of spiritual master as life and soul’ is ‘vyavasayatmika buddhi’.  Disciple should consider the order of spiritual master as his life and soul. If there is no life and soul in the body, the person will be considered as dead, similarly when the disciple is not following the orders of spiritual master, he is a dead disciple. ‘vyavasäyätmikä buddhih’ one pointed, resolute, Avyabhicarini Bhakti, Kevala Bhakti, unflinching faith in devotional service.

Prabhupada writes in one purport, ‘When I was reading the commentary of Visvanath Cakravarthi Thakur, I saw the definition of vyavasäyätmikä Buddhi given by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur. Then I again remembered the order given by my spiritual master.’ What was that instruction? To preach the message of Caitanya Mahaprabhu in English!

So, like this there are very beautiful commentaries by Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakur.  When we read Srila Prabhupada’s purports, we find many, hundreds of definitions given by Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakur. Like if someone has blasphemed Krishna, Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakur explained it as, ‘Goddess Saraswati is glorifying the Lord from their mouth’. Like, Shisupala said Krishna is a fool. Then Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur said, yes, he is talking regarding the knowledge of material World, materialistic knowledge. Like that, whoever has criticized the Lord, how to forgive that person. When we read Bhagavatam, many times such duality comes, ‘how can we accept this thing?’ We do not understand. There Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur gives very powerful commentary. He has written commentary on Rupa Goswami’s Vidagdha Madhava, Lalita Madhava. He has given commentary on Brahma Samhita. He has done lot of preaching.

Sub-theme- Govinda Bhasya by the disciple of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

In his old age, in 1706, he was in Vrndavan. At that time in Jaipur, argument was going on, in connection with Govind Devaji, which Sampradaya will serve Him. There was no commentary by Gaudiya Sampradaya on Vedanta. Now you will see, Mayavadis very proudly say, we are Vedantist. What is their Brahmastra? We are Vedantist. What is the meaning of Vedanta? The essence of Vedas, the Anta, end of Vedas! Vyasadeva himself has written Vedanta. But after reading Vedanta, these Mayavadis give Mayavada Bhasya. But, Srila Prabhupada has given very beautiful commentary. The original, natural commentary of Vedanta is Srimad Bhagavatam, because Vyasadeva himself has written Srimad Bhagavatam. The person, who has written Vedanta Sutra, has written the commentary on that. So, we can understand which commentary is correct. So like this there are different commentaries on Vedanta given by different Sampradayas, given by each of four sampradayas. But in between these four sampradayas, there is also Madhva Sampradaya, which is also known as Gaudiya Sampradaya. So Gaudiya Sampradaya had no separate commentary. So the king of Jaipur, King Jai Singh sent message to Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, ‘if you are authentic Sampradaya then give your commentary on Vedanta. You come with your commentary. If your commentary is correct, then your sampradaya will get the opportunity to serve Govinda Deva.’ Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur was very old at that time, so it was not possible for him to go.

Just as once there was debate in Bengal, ‘who is superior, Brahmana or Vaisnava?’ that time they invited Bhakti Vinod Thakur for the debate on behalf of Vaisnavas. At that time Bhakti Vinod Thakur was old and sick. So he was very upset, what these people will think? ‘They have accepted their defeat, and that’s why they did not come out of fear.’ So Vimal Prasad, that time Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur was Vimal Prasad. So he said to his father, ‘father you bless me. I want to go’. So Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur went there. It was in Medinipur. He went there and he defeated them. Similarly Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur sent his disciple Baladeva Vidyabhusan. So Baladeva Vidyabhusan went there and asked for some time. He prayed to Govinda Deva, ‘hey Govinda Deva have mercy on me. This is Your responsibility to write commentary.’ So, Govinda Dev showered His mercy. And as per the instructions of Govinda Dev, Baladev Vidyabhusan wrote the commentary on Vedanta. This Bhasya is given by Govinda Dev Himself, therefore Baladeva Vidyabhusan named this commentary, Bhasya as Govinda Bhasya. In our Guru Parampara, after Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakur comes Baladeva Vidyabhusan’s name. Srila Prabhupada dedicated, you must have seen, Bhagavad Gita is dedicated to Baladev Vidyabhushan. Srimad Bhagavat Prabhupada dedicated to Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and Krishna book he dedicated to his father, Gaura Mohan Day.

Sub-theme- The essence of Mahaprabhu’s teachings in one verse

Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakur’s one teaching is very powerful. I am sure all of you know this sloka. In this sloka the essence of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings is given. Visvanatha Cakravarthi Thakur has given this sloka and commentary on it.

Ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛṇdāvanaṁ
Ramyakaścid upāsanā vraja-vadhu-varga-vīrya kalpita
śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ premāpum-artho mahān
śrī-caitanya mahāprabhor matamidaṁ tatradaraḥ naparaḥ

Translation

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

Who is Aradhya Bhagwan, the worshipable Lord? vrajeśa-tanayas. Which Lord should be worshipped? Vrindavan’s Krishna! Mathura’s Krishna, Dwarka’s Krishna, Lord Ramchandra, and all others are Lord’s expansion, but Caitanya Mahaprabhu is teaching that Aaradhya Bhagwan is Vrindavan’s Krishna, vrajeśa-tanayas, the son of Vrindavana and Nanda Maharaj, tad-dhāma vṛṇdāvanaṁ. How He should be worshipped? Ramyakaścid upāsanā vraja-vadhu-varga-vīrya kalpita, the way Gopis worship the Lord. Ramya, Lakshmi is expansion of the Gopis. The worship done by the Gopis is the topmost. So the first teaching is Ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas, second is the way Gopis worshipped the Lord is the topmost. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, what is the authority? Srimad Bhagavatam is the authority. Like this we see that, when Caitanya Mahaprabhu was having discussion with Ramanand Raya, he didn’t say, you tell. No, Mahaprabhu said,

prabhu kahe,—“pada sloka sädhyera nirnaya”
räya kahe,—“sva-dharmäcarane visnu-bhakti haya”

Translation

Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu ordered Rämänanda Räya, “Recite a verse from the revealed scriptures concerning the ultimate goal of life.”

Rämänanda replied, “If one executes the prescribed duties of his social position, he awakens his original Krsna consciousness.[Cc Madhya 8.57]

pada sloka sädhyera nirnaya, recite a verse from the revealed scriptures concerning the ultimate goal of life. So Ramananda Raya gave another quote. Lord said, No, this is material goal. Tell me spiritual goal. This is bahya, talks of outside world, material world. He told one more quote from scriptures.

Like that, when Caitanya Mahaprabhu was discussing with Venkata Bhatta, He said, if it is written like this in the scripture, then why Goddess Laksmi is doing like that? Venkata Bhatta said, No, No, Laksmi and Radharani are same. Mahaprabhu said, ‘that is okay, but in the scriptures it is also written that Sivaji could enter in the Rasalila, but Laksmi could not. Why is it so?’ So, whichever question Mahaprabhu asked, whatever He spoke, that was from scriptures only. Similarly He gave order to six Gosvamis, whatever you want to tell, that should be from the scriptures. So like this, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s teaching is Ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛṇdāvanaṁ. And what is the authority? śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ, tatradaraḥ naparaḥ, therefore the topmost literature is Srimad Bhagavatam. This is the topmost gift of Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur, where he has given all teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu in one verse.

Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur disappeared in Vrindavana on the Vasanta Pancami of Magha masa. Hare Krishna! Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur ki Jay! Srila Lokanatha Swami Guru Maharaj ki Jay!

Date – 11^th Jan 2024
Speaker – HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami Maharaj
Theme – Importance of counting while chanting

As per the orders of H.H. Lokanath Swami Maharaj, today I have got an opportunity to speak on Harinama. This is a great fortune for me. Lokanath Maharajji has started this online program in which almost thousand devotees are joining or have joined. This is a very praiseworthy program. Devotees from different places get the opportunity to meet at one platform, to hear about chanting and to chant with Maharaj and other devotees.

Today I want to discuss on the topic, when we daily chant Harinam, why do we count it and can we chant even without counting? It is said in the scriptures that we should constantly chant the name of the Lord.

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyan taś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate

Translation:-  Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion. [BG 9.14]

Lord said in the ninth chapter of Bhagavad Gita that we should constantly chant the name of Lord. Along with that, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has also said in Shiksastakam that we should always chant, kirtaniya sada harih. So, there is no doubt that we should constantly chant the name of the Lord. Sometimes we can chant loudly, sometimes we can chant silently and we can even chant in mind. There are different names for this, but we will not discuss it today in depth. So, constant chanting of the Lord’s name is the goal, an ultimate best for all of us. 24 hours, Lord’s name should be in our mind and on our tongue.

Sub-theme: Conversation between Gopal Guru Goswami and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Name of the Lord should be taken every time. You all must have heard the story of Gopal Guru Goswami. Yet, I will tell you briefly. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was going for His daily routine, there was a boy who was a child of a devotee. His name was Gopal. So once Gopal saw that a Vaishnav was going somewhere holding his tongue with his hand. So he asked to this Vaishnava, ‘where are you going? Why are you holding your tongue like this?’ So the Vaishnav said, ‘I am going for defecation. Because defecation is an impure act and toilet is also an impure place, so I thought I should hold my tongue; because Lord’s name constantly comes out of my mouth and Lord’s name should not be taken in an impure place. So, child Gopal preached to that Vaishnav and said, ‘How can this be? When you are chanting the Lord’s name, Lord’s name is completely pure, Lord’s name has the potency to purify every situation, every place and every person. There is no proper or improper place to take the Lord’s name and think further, what will happen if death occurs in the toilet? At the end of life, one must take the name of the Lord, hence if we take the name of the Lord even in the toilet there is no problem, on the contrary, this is very necessary thing.’

Sub- theme: Various reasons for counting the chants

So, in other words, constant chanting of the Lord’s name is our goal, an ultimate best for us. Yet it is said that we should chant the name considering the number. Chanting must be counted. Why such instruction is given?  Srila Prabhupada also used to chant on the beads. He also gave instruction that we should chant on beads. And even at the time of initiation, we take a vow that we will chant at least 16 rounds. So, why such rule of chanting is given? Whereas in the scriptures it is mentioned that, 24 hours we should chant the name of the Lord, then why is it so? There could be many reasons. We have taken a vow at the time of initiation or even though we are not initiated, we take a vow, sankalpa that daily we should chant minimum this number of rounds. So when we have taken a vow, we must follow it. How can we know if we are following it or not? If we take a vow like, daily we should chant at least 16 rounds, then how can we understand that we are following the vow or not. Hence counting is very important.

Even though Lord and scriptures instruct us to chant continuously, can we really chant continuously for 24 hours? Are we at that level? Do we have that capability to chant Lord’s name for 24 hours daily? Sometimes we chant Lord’s name, sometimes we forget to chant, sometimes our mind wanders here and there, and since it is not possible for us to chant for 24 hours, we are not at that level. We take a vow, that I should chant at least this number of rounds and then yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ, by taking strict vows we follow the instructions. So this is important thing. And it is not that because we have come a long way, so many years we have completed, now even if we not chant properly, even if we do not follow the rules of the vow, then also it is fine, even if we will not count our rounds, then also it is fine, No. It is not so. Even Haridas Thakur used to chant on beads. And Sad-Goswamis also used to chant on beads, sankhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhih. Like this it is given in Sad-Goswami Astakam-

sankhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhih kälävasäni-krtau
nidrähära-vihärakädi-vijitau cätyanta-dinau ca yau
rädhä-krsna-guna-smrter madhurimänandena sammohitau
vande rüpa-sanätanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopälakau

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvämis, namely Sri Rüpa Gosvämi, Sri Sanätana Gosvämi, Sri Raghunätha Bhatta Gosvämi, Sri Raghunätha däsa Gosvämi, Sri Jiva Gosvämi, and Sri Gopäla Bhatta Gosvämi, who were engaged in chanting the holy names of the Lord and bowing down in a scheduled measurement. In this way they utilized their valuable lives and in executing these devotional activities they conquered over eating and sleeping and were always meek and humble enchanted by remembering the transcendental qualities of the Lord. [Sad-Goswami Astakam- 6]

Even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to count the number of rounds He chanted. In the first canto of the Stava Mala, Sri Rupa Goswami says

Hare krsnety-uccaih sphurita-rasano nāma-gananā-
krta-granthi-śreņi-subhaga-kati-sūtrojjvala-karah

Translation:- Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu chants the Hare Krsna mahä-mantra in a loud voice. The holy name dances on His tongue as He counts the number of recitations with His effulgent hand. [Prathama Sri Chaitanyashtakam (stavamala) – Srila Rupa Goswami]

Meaning of this is, it is easy to count on the knots of thread sūtrojjvala, just like we chant on beads, but Rupa Goswami says, when Mahaprabhu used to chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, in a loud voice, uccaih sphurita, rasano nāma-gananā , while relishing it, He used to count the names. krta-granthi-śreņi-subhaga-kati-sūtrojjvala-karah, so, He used to chant while holding in His fingers that sutra, the thread. And holding one knot, as their were knots on that thread, Mahaprabhu used to chant Mahamantra on one knot and then move to another knot and chant another Mahamantra, like that. So, even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to count His rounds. That doesn’t mean that He was not counting without the beads, or that sutra, thread. He used to count even without it, but the point is, even if we are neophyte devotees or we are very advanced devotees, we should make a practice of counting, should do sadhana and when we will attain the perfect stage of the sadhana, that is sadhya, then also we count. First thing is it is for our own good and second is to set an example for others.

So, when we observe a vow, or even if we do not observe such vow, that I will chant at least this many rounds, then in the absence of such vow, there is every possibility that our sadhana may become weak. This should not happen that, ‘milk is turned into water’, (reduction in quality), but when we set a goal like we will chant at least 16 rounds daily, then there is an inspiration for us, a goal that we have to achieve, then the discipline comes in our life and we become more responsible. Our mind gets focused and we develop nistha, full faith in our spiritual life. That is why we observe such vows, in which we take sankalpa that at least this many rounds I will chant. It is very beneficial for us.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur has also said that until we develop natural love or attachment or attraction for Harinama, until then we should chant the Holy Name very carefully, putting lot of efforts.

ye paryanta anuraga na haya udaya
se paryanta yatna kari nama sada laya

Translation: As long as one does not have such enthusiasm, one should take care to constantly chant the Holy name with attention. [Harinama Chintamani Chapter 12]

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur says As long as one does not have such enthusiasm, se paryanta yatna kari nama sada laya, one should take care to constantly chant the Holy name with attention. One must put lot of efforts; one must follow the vow and count the chanted mantras.

In his ‘Jaiva Dharma’ Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur says, one of the reasons of counting the chanting of Harinam is we can understand whether our chanting is increasing or not. In other words we can understand how our Japa, chanting is going on, the number is increasing or reducing and the quality is also increasing or not. Whether we chant on mala or on our fingers; sometimes Mahaprabhu used to chant on fingers. So whether we are chanting on beads or on fingers, sometimes our devotees chant on one instrument, on the counter. No matter which instrument we use, but we must chant constantly. One more reason for chanting on beads is our attention gets easily focused on Harinama. When we chant without anuraga, attachment then our mind easily gets distracted. Sometimes we fell asleep, sometimes our attention wanders, but when we chant on beads, that time also our mind may wander, we may sleep, yet our sense of touch remains active and when we touch the beads, we come to know that the mala is not moving. Our finger is stuck on one bead. And by using the sense of touch we can understand that the mind is wandering here and there or not. At least after some time we come to know.

And our beads are made of Tulasi. So the touch of Tulasi is very important for us. Our mind gets purified by the touch of Tulasi beads and along with that we also get the blessings of Tulasi Maharani. We all know that Tulasi Maharani is very dear to Lord Sri Krishna, and that is why we worship Tulasi Maharani every morning and evening. We sit near Tulasi Maharani to chant because it is very beneficial to chant in the presence of Tulasi Maharani. So, to progress on the path of devotion, it is very important that we receive the blessings of Tulasi Maharani. When we sit in the presence of Tulasi, chant on Tulasi beads, then we get the mercy of Tulasi Maharani, and with that we get the mercy of Sri Krishna and Harinam Prabhu. So it is very important to count in this way and especially on the Tulasi beads.

Sub-theme: when we should not chant on beads?

Now there are some circumstances when we should not chant on the Tulasi beads. It is possible that for some material or spiritual reason it is not appropriate to do it. I will give some examples. I have seen many times that when the devotees are driving, they keep their beads with them. So, I feel, while driving one should drive carefully, otherwise accident may happen. And if at that time we are chanting on beads, we neither can chant properly nor can drive properly. Therefore when we are driving, definitely we can pray and take Lord’s name, we may do kirtan, but we must concentrate on driving and it is good to not use beads at that time.

Similarly some of our devotees who have business or do jobs, for them it is not possible to chant Harinam while sitting in the office. Or even for some spiritual reason if we are going to meet some important person, like President or the Prime Minister, and when we are talking with them and at the same time we have bead bag in hand and we are chanting while talking with them, and are not paying attention to them, then that person will not feel good. Anyways for material or spiritual reasons, there are many such situations where we should not chant on the beads. But it does not mean that we should not chant the Mahamantra, but it is good not to use beads at that time.

Similarly I have also seen that during Srimad Bhagavatam class, some devotees chant while sitting in the class. This is also not good, because when we are listening Srimad Bhagavatam class, our full focus should be on Bhagavatam. If at that time we are sitting with mala, we are neither listening to Bhagavatam class properly nor chanting Harinam properly. So, in Bhagavatam class while listening the class, if Holy name is going on in our mind then it is a good thing, but if we will sit there while chanting on beads, then it will not be a good example for other devotees. Then everyone will think that this is the rule for us. Then everyone will start chanting on Tulasi mala during Bhagavatam class.

If we are doing any other work in which we need to focus carefully, then it is better to not take mala in hand, but gradually we should train ourselves, practice chanting on mala in such a way that we will be able to chant nicely even without mala. This is a very important thing. We should prepare for that, satatam kirtayanto mäm and

trnäd api sunicena taror iva sahisnunä
amäninä mänadena kirtaniya sadä harih

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind, one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” [Sri Sri Sikasastakam 3]

And for that, beads are very important and we must use beads throughout our life. But it is not possible to hold the beads in every situation; therefore we should train our mind that we should be able to chant even without the beads. We should practice for this.

Sub-theme: How to be Krsna conscious the whole day?

So, many times, devotees ask, how can we be Krishna conscious when we are in the office? The simple answer to this is if you are Krishna conscious when you are not in the office, then even in the office you can be Krishna conscious. And if we have not practiced being Krishna conscious when we are not in the office, then it will be difficult for us to be Krishna conscious when we are in the office. In the same way, when we chant nicely, minimum 16 rounds, at least two hours or we may need quarter to two hours, someone needs more time, someone needs less. So, we chant nicely at that time, and then all of us have experience, that our day becomes a good day.  Our other work gets done in a good way, the problems also get minimised. Even if there are problems then we get solutions easily. So all of us have this experience that if these two or quarter to two hours of our day goes nicely then the remaining twenty two hours also pass very nicely. But we need to understand one more thing, what we do for these remaining twenty two hours of our day? What is our lifestyle? How we spend our time? This also has a deep impact on our two hours of chanting. If we do not spend the remaining twenty two hours properly in Krishna consciousness and do various other things and when after that we sit to do our chanting, we could not concentrate on our chanting. So, just as the effect of two hours’ chanting is on the remaining twenty two hours, in the same way, the effect of twenty two hours will be on our two hours of chanting. There is very deep connection between these two. Therefore having goal of chanting constantly, we must practice to chant more and more rounds on beads, at least as much we have taken vow, the sankalpa. And if possible we must chant more than that. And only when it is not possible to chant on beads then chanting in mind, manasika japa, or chanting in very low sound, should also be practiced.

Sri Harinam Prabhu Ki Jai!
Hare Krishna Mahamantra ki Jai!
​​Gaur Premanande Hari Hari Bol!
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!!!

10 February 2024 
Balaji temple at Pune
Speaker: HG Keshav prabhu

HG Padmamali prabhu: Today’s japa talk will be given by HG Keshav prabhu. There was a nice drama on Balaji by Pune devotees for Guru Maharaj yesterday. Prabhuji has travelled with Maharaj to Ayodhya and so he will speak on his realizations.

HG Keshav prabhu: I have been travelling with Guru Maharaj. HG Padmamali prabhu has served for 7 years in various circumstances, from diet to traveling to laundry everything. Even after entering Grihastha ashram, he is still serving. He has requested me to speak about Ayodhya. We took bath in River Sarayu, even when it was very cold. When others were taking bath in the cold, everyone was shivering. So Guru Maharaj said, we all feel the same cold as we are all body but the soul doesn’t feel cold.

matra-sparsas tu kaunteya
sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino ‘nityas
tams titiksasva bharata (BG 2.14)

Translation: O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

This was from 20-24 January. We saw the beautiful decorations, millions of rupees were spent only on flowers. Elephants and peacocks were included in the decoration theme. Guru Maharaj was amongst the special invites for Ram Mandir. He said when Ram will rule, then Gauranga will rule too, today here and every where. And so we are making a Ram mandir in Pandharpur as well. It was a very nice darshan. His Vigraha is very nice. We have a Balaji temple at Iskcon Pune.

We got this land by the mercy of Balaji. There was a devotee who would worship this deity. And he was worried what will happen to the seva after I leave? So he contacted Iskcon devotees and gave us the deities and his two acre land also. We couldn’t build a temple in that area, so we sold the land and bought 4 acres in NVC area where we have constructed this beautiful temple.

Sapta Giri is where Balaji resides. Like Govardhan, this hill is also transcendental. Once the wind God, seeing this hill in the spiritual world wanted to bring this to earth. But Ananta Sesa didn’t wanted to let it go. And so there was a tug of war. Wind God was loosing the war then Narada muni started praising Ananta Sesa. And so he loosened his grip. And so the Wind God won and brought it here on earth.

These all pastimes are depicted in this play which has 320 actors. One time lord Shiva and Parvati were enjoying there in the form of monkey. And so Hanuman was born. The highlight of the play is, Hanuman jumping off the 20 feet high hill. There was once a Muslim ruler Hyder Ali who wanted to destroy this hill. Govinda appeared here and told him, this is the place of Lord Varaha.

tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-sringam
dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhringam
kesava dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
Sri Dasavatara-stotra (from Gita-govinda 4)

Translation: 0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.

So you go away. But Hyder Ali still attacked despite of the warning. Lots of wild boars appeared and attacked all the soldiers and scared them away. Another pastime is shown that, one time there was a competition who is the greatest of all – Brahma, Vishnu or Mahesh.

And so Brighu Muni was selected to test them. So Brighu Muni went to Brahma but Brahma did not pay obeisances or respect to Brighu Muni. Brighu Muni became angry. He said, I’m your father and yet you don’t respect me. So Brighu Muni left as Brahma failed the test. He went to Lord Shiva and when Lord Shiva came to lovingly embrace him, Brighu Muni said don’t touch me you are smeared in ash and all bones and snakes.

Lord Shiva became very angry at that. So he lost too. When Brighu Muni went to Vaikuntha, he saw Lord Vishnu and straight away kicked him on the chest. The Lord immediately took his foot and started massaging saying, my chest is so hard it must have hurt your soft delicate foot. So Lord Vishnu won by humility. Seeing this Goddess Laxmi became very angry and said that you Brahmanas, this is the way you treat your worshipable Lord?

I curse you all that I shall never be with any Brahmanas. Hence Brahmanas are always poor. And Brighu Muni also countered and cursed Laxmi that you shall not be able to stay at one place. Hence money is always fluctuating. After seeing this exchange Laxmi was very sad and so she left to do penance at Kolhapur where she appeared as Vedavati.

Here you can see some glimpses of the drama. So when Vedavati was doing penance, Ravan came and lusting after her, touched her. She cursed Ravan that this lust of yours will destroy you. So when Ravan had kidnapped Mother Sita it was not the original Sita, but Vedavati who takes her place and goes to Lanka.

Vedavati later appears on this hill and the Lord appeared as Balaji and married her. So all these pastimes are depicted in this play. Vedavati appeared as the daughter of Akashraj and Padmavati. And Lord Vishnu appeared as the son of Govinda raj. Govinda raj saves Padmavati from a mad elephant. And she falls in love with him and they are married.

Please come and watch this live drama. Proceeds go to the new temple building. Guru Maharaj really liked it and praised it as the best play he has ever seen, even in comparison to the western plays. You can see on the screen, Nandu the bull who left his body in Pandharpur.

tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ (Shikshashtakam 3)

Translation: One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

He served the padayatra for 10 years. There is his samadhi. Please pray for Nandu.

Hare Krsna!

Date- 9^th Jan 2024
Leader- HH Radheshyamananda Swami Maharaj
Theme- Glories of the Holy Name

gurave gauracandräya rädhikäyai tadälaye
krsnaya krsna bhaktäya tad-bhaktäya namo namah

Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. I beg for your mercy, so that I can speak something. Lord’s glories are unlimited. Ananta Sesa is glorifying the Lord from time immemorial with his innumerable mouths. He thinks that now I am near the end, just now I will be near the end, but end never comes. Ananta Sesa is glorifying Lord Ananta from ananta years from his ananta mouths, yet he has not reached at the bank, at the end. And no one can expect the end. The glories of Holy name are Ananta, unlimited. The scriptures glorify Lord’s Holy name in many ways. Padma Purana says,

yad bhujjänah pibanstisthan svapanjägrad yadä sthitah
akärsam päpamarthärtham käyena manasä girä
mahatalpam ca yatpäpam duryoninarakävaham
tatsarvam vilayam yätu väsudevasya kirtanät

Translation- While speaking, drinking, standing, sleeping, waking up, and staying, I used my mind, speech and body for the sake of selfishness or wealth, which lead to bad habits and the one who reaches hell has committed a big or small sin, all that may be destroyed by chanting the name of Lord Vasudeva. [Papa prasamana stotra]

So, here it is mentioned that people in the world endeavor to gain the wealth. There is no one who does not want wealth. And no one receives wealth without doing anything; everyone has to endeavor for it. But during this endeavor to gain wealth, they commit some wrong things. This is the rule of the world, because wealth is also not so easily achieved. Some do little mistake and some makes big mistakes. They can do anything to have wealth, because for them money is better than honey. So, yad bhujjänah pibansti, to gain wealth, käyena manasä girä, people use their mind, speech and body, akärsam päpamarthärtham, to gain the wealth, people commit sins with käyena manasä girä, with body, mind and words. They commit sins like while eating, drinking, standing, sleeping, waking up, and staying. mahatalpam ca yatpäpam, some commits mahat, big sins, and some who are intelligent, commit alpam, small sins. But everyone commits sins. Therefore it is said duryoninarakävaham, sometimes they have to go in lower yonies like insects, animals and birds and sometimes they even have to go to hell. But this present Kaliyuga is very-very important. This comes once in thousand Catur yugas. This Kaliyuga is very important, because in this Kaliyuga, a person who may have committed big sins, who is going to fail in hell or may get sinful birth, yet tatsarvam vilayam yätu, all those sins get destroyed. The benefit of this Kaliyuga is, if the person performs väsudevasya kirtanät, Lord Vasudeva’s kirtan then he gets free from all kinds of sins. Hari Nama Sankirtan ki Jay! That’s why while glorifying the Holy name, Bhakti Vinod Thakur says,

näma binä kichu nähiko äro,
caudda-bhuvana-mäjhe

Meaning- There is nothing except the holy name within all the fourteen worlds. [From udilo aruna püraba-bhäge]

Sub-theme: examples of the power of Holy name

With the strength of Holy name a person can reach anywhere and attain anything. Prahlad Maharaj, his father was Hiranyakasipu. He gave him so much trouble. Again and again he was put in very painful situations. Anytime he could have died, but he was never perturbed. Why? Because he had the power of Holy name!

Dhruva Maharaj, he achieved Dhruva loka on the strength of same Holy name. Placing his foot on the head of Kala, he proceeded to Dhruva loka. Then Hanuman, he was bewildered. Sita will be searched out but, for that who will cross the hundred Yojana Ocean? No one can cross it even by running then who can cross with one jump. But Jambavan said to Hanuman, ‘Hanuman, your birth is for God realization. What are you doing? Just take the name of the Lord and cross the ocean.’ And as soon as Hanuman took the Lord’s name, Jaya Sri Rama! He gained so much energy that with the Holy name he immediately took the jump. The mountain from where he took the jump went into Patal loka; so much power. And then he crossed the ocean in one jump. This is the strength of Holy name.

We can see that in this Kaliyuga we have this powerful Holy name. In other millenniums, yugas there were many problems, but in this Kaliyuga the benefit of Holy name that we have was not there in other yugas. We know this benefit, but in other yugas they did not even know this benefit, and even if they knew, they were not accepting it. This was the problem. But in Kaliyuga people know and even accept it. Thousands of Kaliyugas have passed, but this Kaliyuga is very special. There are many more examples.

Mira Bai, Ranaji sent poison for her. ‘Mira take this and drink it. This is caranamrta of the Lord.’ Mirabai was given halahal poison saying that this is carnamrta. Mirabai remembered the Lord ‘mere to Giridhar Gopal’ and drank the poison considering it caranamrta. And after drinking the poison she started to dance ecstatically. People were thinking Mira will die now, but her strength was increasing more and more. Everyone was astonished, what is happening? This is completely opposite. Mira should have died, but she is dancing with so much energy. They were very astonished. And one time they sent one black poisonous snake, cobra to kill Mira.  They said, ‘this is garland of your Giridhar, prasad from your Lord. Take it.’ Mira took it, considering Prasad of the Lord. But she saw that at the place of snake, Lord Himself is lying there. Where the snake has gone no one knows, but the Lord Himself was lying there. Mira touched it to her head. This is the power of Holy name.

Sub-theme: Haridasa Thakur glorifying Holy name

Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Haridasa Thakur, ‘Haridasa, those who are jangam, moving, the living entities who can walk and talk, they are intelligent and they can take benefit of this Holy name, but what will happen with the unmovable living entities? How they will be liberated? Haridasa said

tumi ye kariyächa ei ucca sankirtana
sthävara-jangamera sei hayata’ sravana

Translation- You have loudly chanted the Hare Krsna mantra, and everyone, moving or not moving, has benefited by hearing it. [CC Antya 3.69]

suniyä jangamera haya samsära-ksaya
sthävare se sabda läge, pratidhvani haya

Translation- My Lord, the moving entities who have heard Your loud sankirtana have already been delivered from bondage to the material world, and after the nonmoving living entities like trees hear it, there is an echo. [CC Antya 3.70]

’pratidhvani’ nahe, sei karaye ‘kirtana’
tomära krpära ei akathya kathana

Translation- Actually, however, it is not an echo: it is the kirtana of the nonmoving living entities. All this, although inconceivable, is possible by Your mercy. [CC Antya 3.71]

sakala jagate haya ucca sankirtana
suniyä premävese näce sthävara-jangama

Translation- When loud chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is performed all over the world by those who follow in Your footsteps, all living entities, moving and nonmoving, dance in ecstatic devotional love. [CC Antya 3.72]

When Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Haridasa Thakur-

prthivite bahu-jiva—sthävara-jangama
ihä-sabära ki prakäre ha-ibe mocana?

Translation- On this earth there are many living entities,” the Lord said, “some moving and some not moving. What will happen to the trees, plants, insects and other living entities? How will they be delivered from material bondage? [CC Antya 3.67]

So, Haridasa Thakur remembering Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet said, tumi ye kariyächa ei ucca sankirtana, My Lord, You have loudly chanted the Hare Krsna mantra, sthävara-jangamera sei hayata’ sravana, and everyone, moving or not moving, has benefited by hearing it.

Devotees perform ucca sankirtana, loud chanting on the roads, actually this is very wonderful. Prabhupada has said, this Hare Krishna Maha Mantra sound is transcendental sound, this is not ordinary sound. Wherever this sound will reach, it will purify that environment; will fill it with the love of Godhead. Only one name can give Krishna Prema. This benefit was not there in other yugas. So, Haridasa Thakur said, Prabhu, You performs loud sankirtana, sthavara jangama will listen it and will be benefited. Then he said suniyä jangamera haya samsära-ksaya, my Lord, the moving entities who have heard Your loud sankirtana have already been delivered from bondage to the material world. ‘That is alright, but how the sthavaras will be benefited? How will you deliver the hills?’

Once upon a time, these mountains used to fly. Brahmaji saw that creation was not increasing. Sometimes these mountains used to fly with their wings, and used to sit on trees or villages, destroying them. So, Indra got very angry. Brahmaji said, see this is a problem. So, Indra took his vajra and cut off the wings of all mountains. So these mountains remained at that very place where they were. So how they will be liberated? So it is said here, when Hare Krishna Kirtan will reach there, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, we can see that, when we do kirtan in valley or forest, we can hear echo, pratidhvani.  So they say that, this is not pratidhvani, ’pratidhvani’ nahe, sei karaye ‘kirtana’, Mahaprabhu, actually, it is not an echo. It is the kirtana of the nonmoving living entities. tomära krpära ei akathya kathana, All this, although inconceivable, is possible by Your mercy. There is no doubt they do kirtan by Your mercy. They also become blissful listening kirtan. So, sakala jagate haya ucca sankirtana, when devotees perform sankirtana all over the world, in every nagar and village, as Mahaprabhu said-

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma

Translation- In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.” (Caitanya-bhāgavata, Antya 4.126)

When devotees perform such Kirtan with love, suniyä premävese näce sthävara-jangama, hearing this all sthavara, moving living entities dance in ecstatic devotional love, and even the jangama, nonmoving living entities also become ecstatic. They feel quivering in their bodies. They start showering their fruits and flowers in bliss. This is the power of Holy name. And this is possible only in this Kaliyuga.

Sub-theme: Specialty of present Kaliyuga

What was happening in other Kaliyugas? For that it is said, in other Kaliyugas people were very unfortunate, but in this particular yuga, people are very fortunate. The religion of other Kaliyugas was also chanting of the Holy name. But in Caitanya Bhagavata it is said that –

nä väkhäne ‘yuga-dharma’ krsnera kirtana
dosa vinä guna käro nä kare kathana

Translation- They never explained the religious principle for the age—chanting the holy names of the Lord. They only found faults with others; they never glorified anyone. [CB Adi 2.69]

However religion of Kaliyuga is Harinama only. It was for other Kaliyugas also and for this Kaliyuga also. But what was the difference? It is clearly mentioned here that in other Kaliyugas what they were doing? nä väkhäne ‘yuga-dharma’ krsnera kirtana, they never explained the religious principle for the age—chanting the holy names of the Lord. No one was talking about it, then what to say about performing kirtan. It is said, dosa vinä guna käro nä kare kathana, they only found faults with others; they never glorified anyone. No one was seeing the good qualities of Harinama and nä kare kathana no one was glorifying the Holy name. No one was talking, nä väkhäne about the unlimited glories of Holy name, but every one was talking about faults. Therefore,

yebä saba—virakta-tapasvi-abhimäni
tän-sabära mukheha nähika hari-dvani

Translation- All the so-called renunciates and ascetics never chanted the names of Hari. [CB Adi 2.70]

All of those renunciates and ascetics were abhimäni, proud people.  They were full of ego. tän-sabära mukheha nähika hari-dvani, from their mouth not a word of Lord used to come. They never said Hari Hari, Krishna Krishna, Rama Rama. And

ati-vata sukrti se snänera samaya
‘govinda’ ‘pundarikäksa’-näma uccäraya

Translation- Only the most pious people would recite the names of Pundarikäksa and Govinda at the time of taking bath. [CB Adi 2.71]

bhagyodayena bahujanma samarjitena
satsangam ca labhate puruso yada vai
ajnana hetukrta moha madandhakaranasam
vidhaya hi tato dayate viveka

Translation- When the fortunes of not one birth but of eternal births arise, then there is a desire to listen to satsanga stories and sermons of saints. This is the grace of Guru and Govinda. We get a chance to recite and listen to such words… [Saint Sri Raghavendra Dasa]

Only one who was very pious, bhagyodayena bahujanma samarjitena, after many many births, who has become fortunate after performing many pious works for many lifetimes, they sometimes chant the Holy name while taking bath. ‘govinda’ ‘pundarikäksa’-näma uccäraya, sometimes they would recite the names Pundarikäksa and Govinda at the time of taking bath. It is said that

balileo keha nähi laya krsna-näma!
niravadhi vidyä-kula karena vyäkhyäna

Translation- People will not chant the names of Krsna even if they are instructed! Rather, they constantly glorify their education and good birth. [CB Adi 2.75]

Sometimes some devotee would instruct them about the Holy name. balileo keha, sometimes someone would chat Lord’s name, because in Kaliyuga there are the blessings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu or Krishna Himself comes to this world but He does not appear in every Kaliyuga. Therefore Lord is called as Triyugi Narayana, who appears in three yugas. In Kaliyuga Lord sends His devotees and His name. Actually He sends His name in every yuga. But sometimes Lord’s personal associate, Mahabhagavata like Prabhupada would come. He would instruct the people, balileo keha nähi laya krsna-näma, chant Krishna nama, but no one would chant. People used to criticize them, hate them. niravadhi vidyä-kula karena vyäkhyäna, and such people rather constantly glorify their education and good birth. They were Pandit, scholar, very intelligent, but they never used to talk about Lord’s Holy name.

ananta vaikuntha mukunda krsna
govinda dämodara mädhaveti
vaktum samartho ‘pi na vakti kascid
aho janänäm vyasanäbhimukhyam

Translation- ….. O Ananta, Vaikuntha, Mukunda, Krsna, Govinda, Dämodara, Mädhava! Although all people can address You, still they remain silent. Just see how eager they are for their own peril! [Mukunda Mala Stotra 29]

It is said, oh ho so much misfortune this is. aho janänäm vyasanäbhimukhyam, such people are busy in useless talks, vyasanä, vaktum samartho ‘pi na vakti kascid, they would talk very intelligently, but problem was ananta vaikuntha mukunda krsna govinda dämodara mädhaveti, no one was taking the name of the Lord. This is the talk of other Kaliyuga. Other than this Kaliyuga, all other Kaliyugas had such situation. People were intelligent, but problem was, they were wasting time in other talks but no one was chanting Lord’s name. But this Kaliyuga is-

krtädisu prajä räjan
kaläv icchanti sambhavam
kalau khalu bhavisyanti
näräyana-paräyanäh
kvacit kvacin mahä-räja
dravidesu ca bhürisah

Translation- My dear King, the inhabitants of Satya-yuga and other ages eagerly desire to take birth in this age of Kali, since in this age there will be many devotees of the Supreme Lord, Näräyana. [SB 11.5.38]

We are so fortunate. This is golden yuga. Why? Because krtädisu prajä räjan kaläv icchanti sambhavam, Sukadeva Gosvami says, the inhabitants of Satya-yuga and other ages eagerly desire to take birth in this age of Kali. Don’t they want to go in other Kaliyugas? No, they want to get away from this material world as early as possible, because once Kaliyuga will start, then it will be very difficult situation. So we are very fortunate. We were unfortunate, but in this Kaliyuga all of us have become fortunate. Because kalau khalu bhavisyanti näräyana-paräyanäh, no doubt, in this present Kaliyuga most of the people will be Narayana parayanah, they will do kirtan and sravan of Lord’s Holy name. They will chant loudly Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This is the effect of present Kali yuga. Therefore it is said that

kalim sabhäjayanty äryä
guna jnäh sära-bhäginah
yatra sankirtanenaiva
sarva-svärtho ‘bhilabhyate

Translation- Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to appreciate the essential value of this age of Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age all perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtana. [SB 11.5.36]

What is in this Kaliyuga? kalim sabhäjayanty äryä guna jnäh sära-bhäginah, what is the essence of this kaliyuga? In other Kaliyuga, when a person with very difficulty, was endeavoring little bit to chant the Holy name, in that without devotee association this chanting of Harinama was not giving result. People were not aware of Prema, so they would reach only up to dharma, artha, kama and moksha. Moksha was everything. Now a day people preach and glorify for mukti, which was topmost level in other yugas. And to get mahat-sanga was necessary, but in this present Kali yuga even without mahat-sanga, because in this Kaliyuga, Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself is residing in Harinama.

kali-käle näma-rüpe krsna-avatära
näma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistära

Translation- In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna mahä-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krsna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered. [CC Adi 17.22]

So Lord Himself is residing in the Holy name and therefore if one is not receiving the mahat-sanga, but he does chant Hare Krishna mantra, he can be liberated, can go directly to the Lord’s abode. This is benefit of present Kaliyuga. In other Kaliyugas they could go only up to Mukti, but in this Kaliyuga to go to Vaikunta and Goloka is like going to Mumbai and Delhi. Now so many people are coming to Vrindavan. Earlier, who knew about Vrindavan. No one! When I came here in 90’s, I used to see there was one tea shop here and it also used to close down at 4 o’clock. The road used to become very quiet, even cats and dogs would not roam there at that time. At 5 o’clock all traffic used to be closed. People were afraid that no one should rob them. Sometimes we used to go to temple at that time. Temple pujari was teaching us Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu. And sometimes on Sundays he used to take us for darshan in the temple. We had to book the cycle riksa, ‘brother, please come at this time’. Then only he would come. Now there is so much traffic, it is getting difficult to cross the road. All this is the mercy of Mahaprabhu. People are awakening, inspired. So, we can see that this is only in the present Kaliyuga and not in other yugas.

Lord Ramachandra in Treta yuga took everyone back to Godhead. In Dwapar yuga, Lord Krishna delivered all fourteen planetary systems. Similarly, Caitanya Mahaprabhu has liberated universe in this present Kaliyuga, even sthavar and jangamas are liberated, just as Lord Ramachandra liberated even the insects and creepers. We also hear many pastimes like Gokarna, Lord Krishna took everyone back to Goloka. In Dwapara yuga, demigods and Lord’s eternal associates came along with Lord Krishna. And there were those devotees who perfected themselves by sadhana and bhajan. Such three types of devotees received Lord’s association. So those who came with the Lord, were placed in Dwaraka by the Lord. And then He sent them back by making them fight with each other. And Lord sent other devotees back to Godhead by performing His pastimes. Someone was sent to Vrindavan and someone to Vaikuntha. Here also we see that, Caitanya Mahaprabhu has liberated all sthavara, jangama, moving and non moving entities. Listening Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s kirtan people were becoming mad in Krishna prema. One person who would have listened Mahaprabhu’s kirtan would tell others, and like this Holy name was spreading just like the virus. As corona virus was spreading from one person to another, this Krishna prema was spreading and like this Mahaprabhu liberated everyone. We are very fortunate to be in this Kaliyuga. And it is said that in this Kaliyuga vaktum samartho ‘pi na vakti kascid, they were samartho, capable to chant Lord’s name, but in other Kaliyugas no one was taking Lord’s name.

Therefore it is said that Navadha Bhakti is complete when we chant Lord’s Holy name. When we chant Lord’s name, we get the ultimate benefit of Navadha Bhakti. If we will remove Lord’s name from Navadha Bhakti then it is without the soul. Every sadhana gives result only when there is Nama kirtan in that. Naradaji has said, Lord’s name itself is the Katha of the Lord. Only it can bring changes in the world. If there is no Holy name, then that place is the residence for the crows. Swans never reside at such places. So, if there is deity worship and kirtan is not going on, then that deity worship does not give full benefit. If there is katha without talks of Lord and devotees then that katha is useless. Just as if the poisonous teeth of a snake are removed then that snake is nothing more than a toy, similarly when there is no Harinama or talks about the Lord, then it is just time pass. Therefore it is said, in every sadhana the most powerful sadhana is Lord’s Holy name. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!

koṭi aśvamedha eka kṛṣṇa nāma sama
yeikahe, se pāṣaṇḍī, daṇḍe tāre yama

Translation- One who says that ten million aśvamedha sacrifices are equal to the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa is undoubtedly an atheist. He is sure to be punished by Yamarāja.[CC Adi3.79]

Therefore if it is said that millions of asvamedha sacrifices are equal to one Holy name, koṭi aśvamedha eka kṛṣṇa nāma sama, then, yeikahe, se pāṣaṇḍī, daṇḍe tāre yama, he is speaking complete lie. Even ten million aśvamedha sacrifices can not be equal to one Holy name. yeikahe, se pāṣaṇḍī, one who speaks like that is number one pāṣaṇḍī, an atheist and daṇḍe tāre yama, and he is sure to be punished by Yamarāja. So this is the effect of one Holy name. It is also said that-

go-koṭi-dānaṁ grahaṇe khagasya
prayāga-gaṅgodaka-kalpa-vāsaḥ
yajñāyutaṁ meru-suvarṇa-dānaṁ
govinda-kīrter na samaṁ śatāṁśaiḥ

Translation- Even if one distributes ten million cows in charity during an eclipse of the sun, lives at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā for millions of years, or gives a mountain of gold in sacrifice to the brāhmaṇas, he does not earn one hundredth part of the merit derived from chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.[Skanda Purāṇa]

So, just think about this. How powerful is Lord’s name! Shame on us as we are not able to develop such taste for it!

Sub-theme: benefit of chanting Hare Krishna only once

I will end with one story, how one name can give liberation. There were two brothers. Elder brother was atheist and younger brother was devotee. So one day this younger brother said to his spiritual master, ‘Guruji, please tell my brother something so that he will also chant.’ Guruji said, ‘I can tell him only when he will come to me.’ Because whenever there would be katha-kirtan, he would never come to home. Instead he would go to watch movie or to hotel. So, the younger brother said, ‘Guruji, I will do one thing. I will call you when he is at home. You please come quickly.’ Guruji said, ‘ok, I will come. No problem.’ So, one day he saw that brother is at home. He called Guruji and Guruji quickly came there. Elder brother saw him and thought, today there is no katha-kirtan, then why he came now? And what he did? He ran in one room and locked it from inside. Gururji locked it from outside. You sit inside, I will sit outside. No problem. So for ten fifteen minutes Guruji did not say anything, so he thought he must have gone. He opened the lock from inside, but the door was locked from outside. So he said, ‘who has locked the door from outside?’ Guruji said, ‘I did.’ ‘Oh, you are still here?’ ‘I did not come to go.’ ‘Why have you come for?’ ‘I am here to give you Lord’s Holy name. Chant one time Hare Krishna.’ He said,’ No I will not say.’ ‘You have to say Hare Krishana.’ ‘No I will never say.’ ‘What you will never you?’ ‘I will never say Hare Krishna.’ ‘Ha, only this I wanted. Anyhow you said Hare Krishna. But remember one thing.’ I am telling true story. HH Radha Govinda Maharaj has once told this story. So Guruji said, ‘see, you do not have any pious credit. Yamadutas will pull you to Yamapuri. When Yamaraja will ask you, if you want to enjoy result of pious work first or result of sinful work first? That time you tell him, you want to enjoy result of pious work. Never say yes for results of sins. Once you will go to hell, your situation will be very horrible. But then ask Yamarajaji, what is my pious work? Rest I will take care of. You do not worry.’

So when he died, Yamadutas pulled him to Yamaloka. Citragupta checked his file. File was full of sins. Yamaraja also became vey angry, in which hell this sinful man should be thrown. But at one place it was written, ‘I will never say.’ ‘What you will never say?’ ‘I will never say Hare Krishna.’ Then what, file was closed. Yamaraja asked, ‘you want to enjoy result of pious work or sinful work?’ he said, ‘I will enjoy result of my pious work. But tell me, what is my pious act?’ ‘You have once said Hare Krishna.’ ‘Okay, but what is the result of that?’ So, Yamaraja said, ‘I do not know what the result of it is.’ ‘Then how will you give the result? Who will tell?’ ‘Let’s go to Devaraja, Indra. He is intelligent. There are Brhaspati and others as well. He gets devotee association. So let’s go there.’ ‘Ok, let’s go, but I will not walk.’ ‘Then how will you go?’ ‘I will go in palanquin.’ Yamaraja thought, these souls from earth are very dangerous. After death he is giving so much trouble, what he must be doing when he was alive.’ Yamaraja had no choice; he had to give him result. He placed him in palanquin. Devaraja saw, ‘looks like this is VIP’. He also got ready to welcome him with garlands. He said, ‘please welcome. Is this VIP?’ Yamaraja said, ‘No, he is number one third class rascal. What to say, somehow he said Hare Krishna and now he is asking what result I will get from that? You must be knowing what result I should give him.’ Devaraja said, ‘I have never done bhajan-kirtan. I have done hundred yajnas, and enjoying result of that only. So I do not know.’ ‘Then who will tell?’ ‘Go to Brahmaji. I will also come. If there is similar case again then I should know what to say.’

So they told to that jivatma, ‘let’s go to Satyaloka.’ He said, ‘ok, let’s go. I am in the palanquin. Lift it up and take me there.’ Now at one side Yamaraja and at another side Devaraja was lifting the palanquin. These two rajas took him to Satyaloka. Brahmaji saw and was astonished. ‘First time I am seeing this.’ so he asked the reason for coming. They repeated the story. I have read Vedas three times and understood scriptures very well, but I do not know the benefit of one Holy name.’ ‘Who will tell?’ ‘Sivaji always chants Lord’s name. Pancamukhe sivaji bole rama rama hare hare! He must be knowing this. So, let’s go to Kailasha.’ So, three of them lifted him in palanquin and went to Kailasha. Sivaji loves devotees. He started dancing. Yamaraja stopped him, ‘this is not the time to dance. This is very serious case.’ ‘What happened?’ ‘He said Hare Krishna once, now we want to know the benefit of chanting one Holy name. You must be knowing it, as you always chant Lord’s name.’ ‘I do chant Lord’s name, but never such give and take talks came in.’ ‘So who will tell?’ ‘Do one thing. Without going here and there, go directly to the Lord. Ask Him. I will also come.’ Now these four devatas said, ‘jivatma lets go.’ ‘Yes yes, let’s go. I am still in the palanquin. You lift it and take me there.’ So, Brahma and Sivaji lifted from front side and Yamaraja and Devaraja lifted from back. They reached Vaikuntha. Laksmi was very happy, started to dance. ‘Swami, he must have done so many charities, pious works and must have done katha-kirtan.’ Lord also said, ‘yes whole day he was doing japa kirtan. So much charity he was giving. He used to distribute blindly.’ ‘Swami, I will take this soul on my lap.’ Lord said, ‘where else he can sit?’ Laksmi immediately took this soul on her lap. Yamaraja, Devaraja, Brahma and Sivaji, all of them were watching, to get one dust particle of Laksmi, we spend whole life. See this soul. He chanted only one time Hare Krishna and now he received the lap of Laksmi. Then the Lord asked, ‘how all of you came here?’ They said, ‘Prabhu, there is a big problem. This soul chanted Hare Krishna one time and now asking what benefit he should get.’ Lord said, ‘you are demigods and you do not know the result? Only this is the result.’ ‘Prabhu, we did not understand.’ ‘You did not understand? When you was entering from the gate, was there anything written?’ ‘Yes there was.’ ‘What was written?’ They said- yad gatvānanivartante tad dhāmaparamaṁ mama. Those who reach to My abode, do not go back.

na tad bhāsayatesūryo
naśaśāṅkonapāvakaḥ
yad gatvānanivartante
tad dhāmaparamaṁ mama

Translation- That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world. [BG 15.6]

‘That’s it. He has reached here.’ Then everyone was shocked. Lord said, ‘take back this palanquin, in case you will need to bring someone else.’  This is the glory of Lord’s Holy name. All of you are very fortunate. You are taking interest in Harinama and every day you are listening Harinama from the lotus mouth of Guru Maharaja. When this Harinama comes out of pure devotees, its effect increases millions of time. So, you are very fortunate. You are listening glories of Harinama from the lotus mouth of Guru Maharaja as well as senior devotees. Take benefit of it and drown others also in this mercy. This is Mahaprabhu’s mission. This parampara is based on that. Mahaprabhu has directly announced-

yäre dekha, täre kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa
ämära äjnäya guru hanä tära’ ei desa

Translation- ‘Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they are given in the Bhagavad-gitä and Srimad-Bhägavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.’ [CC Madhya 7.128]

You are already gurus. Now engage in preaching. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!

Date: 8^TH Feb 2024
Speaker: HG Dharmaraj Prabhuji
Theme: Relationship between devotees

Please accept my humble obeisances unto lotus feet of Guru Maharaj and all Vaisnvas. Today’s topic is ‘relationship between devotees’. It is important to have a very loving relationship between the devotees. Devotees have relationship with Lord as well as with the devotees. Spiritual life does not mean that we should give up all relationships, but the meaning of spiritual life is that we accept others as parts of Lord and establish relationship with them. This is spirituality, which means spiritual relationship. When we accept spiritual life or Krsna conscious life, we should establish loving relationship with everyone and that do happen. And even Lord Sri Krsna Himself is Atmarama, means He takes pleasure in Himself; yet He likes to reciprocate with His devotees and to establish a relationship with His devotees through various rasas. Lord feels great happiness in that. These relations are mentioned many times in various scriptures like Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrta.  Pure devotees and the Acharyas ask to the Lord for the same through various verses, ‘we should be able to maintain loving relationship with the devotees’.

Sub-theme: Pariksit Maharaj asking three benedictions

When Pariksit Maharaj was getting ready to go back to Godhead, he prays-

punaś ca bhūyād bhagavaty anante
ratiḥ prasaṅgaś ca tad-āśrayeṣu
mahatsu yāṁ yām upayāmi sṛṣṭiṁ
maitry astu sarvatra namo dvijebhyaḥ

Translation

Again, offering obeisances unto all you brāhmaṇas, I pray that if I should again take my birth in the material world, I will have complete attachment to the unlimited Lord Kṛṣṇa, association with His devotees and friendly relations with all living beings. [SB 1.19.16]

First of all he is saying that, I should have complete attachment to Lord Krsna, second thing is, I should get the association of His devotees and the third is, there should be friendly relations with all living beings. That means he is saying that, ‘I want to stay with the devotees, but at the same time there should be friendly relation with all living beings, because all living beings are parts and parcels of the Lord. May be at present they are not able to develop attachment for the Lord or love for Lord has not yet arisen in their hearts, yet I want that I should have love and friendship with all living beings.’ There is a word- ‘jiva-himsa’, it doesn’t mean only not to kill the living entities, but it also means that keeping the living entities away from the Lord. Therefore, when we will establish friendship with them, it is certain that we will connect them with the Lord, with the Name of the Lord. Hence Pariksit Maharaj is asking these three things- attachment to Krsna, association with devotees and loving relation with all living beings.

Pariksit Maharaj was a great emperor of the whole world and he had no shortage of anything. Still, when he came to know that he was going to die within seven days, he gave up everything and sat at the bank of Ganga to hear Lord’s pastimes. From this we can understand that even if the pure devotee has the prosperity of the entire world, what could be his desire. We can see this through the example of Pariksit Maharaj. Mahaprabhu says, we should not have association with the materialistic people.

asat-sanga-tyäga,—ei vaisnava-äcära
’stri-sangi’—eka asädhu, ‘krsnäbhakta’ ära

Translation-

A Vaisnava should always avoid the association of ordinary people. Common people are very much materially attached, especially to women. Vaisnavas should also avoid the company of those who are not devotees of Lord Krsna. [CC Madhya 22.87]

When He was asked, ‘who is a devotee?’ He told this in His answer, what should we do? We should avoid asat-sanga. We should also check that, am I feeling hatred or jealousy for them? Because to stay away from them doesn’t mean to have hatred or jealousy towards them! Because when we will go to teach, to preach them, they will commit offenses towards Lord Krsna and His devotees. That is why we need to stay away from them, so that they will not commit offenses. Devotees can pray for that these souls should also become devotees. We are trying to bring them in Bhakti, but they are not listening, so at least we can pray for them. When a pure devotee prays for such souls, Lord takes note of that and He provides bhakti to those souls who want to stay away from Him. The pure devotee sees equally the devotee and non devotee. In the Sad-goswami astakam we hear-

krishnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamritambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-kripa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, namely Sri Rupa Gosvami, Sri Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami, Sri Raghunatha das Gosvami, Sri Jiva Gosvami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krsna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of Lord, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians, because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus, they are engaged in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe. [Sri Sri Shad-gosvamy-ashtaka 1]

It is said that sad-goswamis were always engaged in krishnotkirtana-gana-nartana, chanting and dancing and then dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau, they were dear to the gentle as well as to the ruffians because they were nirmatsarau, without enmity. The devotee knows what kind of relationship to establish with an individual. He does not reject anyone, but he always desires to connect everyone with Krsna, to establish their relation with Krsna.

When Nava-yogendras went to see Nimi Maharaj, Nimi Maharaj out of curiosity asked them various questions regarding devotion of the Lord. When King Nimi was having a discussion with Camasa Muni (one of the Nava-Yogendras), he said, there are two types of materialistic people-

ya esam purusam säksäd
ätma-prabhavam isvaram
na bhajanty avajänanti
sthänäd bhrastah patanty adhah

Translation-

“If any of the members of the four varnas and four äsramas fail to worship or intentionally disrespect the Personality of Godhead, who is the source of their own creation, they will fall down from their position into a hellish state of life.” [SB 11.5.3]

na bhajanty, one who do not worship the Lord, they are in ignorance and second type is avajänanti, they intentionally disrespect the Lord. So we need to stay away from them, but that does not mean that we should hate them. As we told, we should pray for them to the Lord.

Sub-theme: Lesson from the pastime of four Kumaras

Four Kumaras were not atheists. They were brahmavadi. They had heard from their father, Brahma about the glories of the Lord. But even after hearing, they had not applied it. They were more attached to the nirakar form of the Lord. They met Jaya Vijay, had talk with them, all of you know the story. They had darsan of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada says, when they offered obeisances to the Lord, the fragrance of Tulasi leaves offered at the lotus feet of Lord and the fragrance of the lotus feet of the Lord entered in their nostrils and then what happened? This changed their life completely.

tasyāravinda-nayanasya padāravinda-
kiñjalka-miśra-tulasī-makaranda-vāyuḥ
antar-gataḥ sva-vivareṇa cakāra teṣāṁ
saṅkṣobham akṣara-juṣām api citta-tanvoḥ

Translation

When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasī leaves from the toes of the lotus feet of the Personality of Lordhead entered the nostrils of those sages, they experienced a change both in body and in mind, even though they were attached to the impersonal Brahman understanding. [SB 3.15.43] 

There was a change in their mind and body because they established relationship with the Lord. If one worships the Lord in His nirakar form, then what kind of relation he can establish? Nothing can happen. One can develop relation only with the transcendental form of the Lord. Bhakti Yoga means to connect with Lord; it is not just to connect with the effulgence of the Lord. Relation will be established only when we will accept the transcendental form of the Lord. It is the specialty of the Lord, those who get associated with the devotee, gets connected with the Lord.

In the 11^th canto of Bhagavatam it is mentioned that Lord describes faith to Uddhava. Madhyama Adhikari loves the Lord, makes friendship with the devotees and show mercy on the ignorant, and maintains distance from those who are envious of the Lord. Devotees maintain such a loving relation with all living beings. Only by such relations with the Lord, His devotees and other living entities, they progress in Bhakti.

Sub-theme: prayer of Sudama

When Lord Krsna and Balarama entered in Mathura; they came from Gokul to Mathura with Akruraji. When They entered in Mathura, They met a gardener named Sudama. So, he served the Lord by offering garlands, and he understood that this art which I have of making flower garlands is only to please Krsna. That’s why he pleased the Lord, and prayed, ‘O Krsna, I want that I should have devotion towards you, friendship with devotees and compassion in my heart for all living beings.’ It seems that there is a gardener and he has given flower garland to the Lord and that’s it. We also offer to the Lord and to the devotees then what is the difference? But if we also demand the same, the devotion for Lord, friendship with devotees and compassion for all living beings and why is this compassion necessary? Only compassion is such a virtue, by which we can give Krsna consciousness to the living entities. Srila Prabhupada had many qualities, but compassion was one of his special qualities, because of which even at an old age Prabhupada went to western countries. Single handedly he established ISKCON movement and presented it to us. Through which what we can do?  We can do devotion to Lord by living together with the devotees.

Almost 20 years back, at Aravade, the birth place of Guru Maharaj, there was a small temple. Guru Maharaj came. He gave lecture. There were many devotees. When Guru Maharaj’s lecture was over, I stood up to announce the further programs, and one devotee raised his hand. ‘Maharaj, I have a question’. Guru Maharaj said, ‘what is the question?’ So, he asked, ‘why do pure devotees preach?’ So Guru Maharaj pointing at me said, ‘Dharamraj will answer this’. I thought, ‘how can I answer in front of Guru Maharaj?’ I was thinking in my mind, ‘Guru Maharaj should give me power to answer.’ I replied, ‘Lord is very kind. His heart is full of compassion. He is an ocean of mercy. Lord always desires that all His souls, who are His parts and parcels, should get His devotion. Krsna wants all living beings back to Him. This is what Krsna always wants. Krsna Himself comes in various incarnations in different millenniums and at the same time He feels compassion in the hearts of those special souls who desperately want to save other souls. Because of this compassion pure devotees do preaching on behalf of the Lord. His Holiness means the purity of Lord is now developed within them. His Divine Grace means that he has received the special mercy of the Lord. They will not keep this mercy unto them, but they will share it with everyone. That’s why this mercy and compassion is very important. Because of this compassion, we can give Krsna consciousness to the living beings and can provide Krsna’s blessings to them. The great Acharya has done the same. Devotees of Lord all the time desires for this.

Sub-theme: Prayers of Kunti Maharani

Kunti maharani says in her prayers-

atha viśveśa viśvātman
viśva-mūrte svakeṣu me
sneha-pāśam imaṁ chindhi
dṛḍhaṁ pāṇḍuṣu vṛṣṇiṣu

Translation

O Lord of the universe, soul of the universe, O personality of the form of the universe, please, therefore, sever my tie of affection for my kinsmen, the Pāṇḍavas and the Vṛṣṇis. [SB 1.8.41]

She is saying, ‘O Krsna, I should develop strong attachment, relation with You. May I always engage in Your thoughts and remembrance. O Lord of the universe, O soul of the universe, O universal form, please cut down my affection for my relatives, the Pandavas and Vrsnis. I have various relations with them, as a mother and all, but I want strong attachment with You.’ All of them about whom she is talking are devotees only, yet she is considering them as her family members, hence she is feeling that I have material relation with them and O Krsna, I want to establish a relationship with You. Srila Prabhupada writes, the pure devotee sever the material bonds of affection of his family and expands his compassion for the whole world. In the next verse she says-

tvayi me ’nanya-viṣayā
matir madhu-pate ’sakṛt
ratim udvahatād addhā
gaṅgevaugham udanvati

Translation

O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else. [SB 1.8.42]

O Lord Madhupati, just like Ganga always flows towards the sea without any interruption; similarly my attraction should be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else. Pure devotion is complete only when the entire attention is on the loving service of the Lord. Therefore devotees like Kunti Maharani want to remain in the association of Lord and His devotees. She says I am a soul; soul means I am a part of You and my relationship is with You. That relation should increase more and more. I am very attached to my family, that’s why I want You to cut off my attachments, so that my attachment towards You will increase.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur says that all the anarthas present within me should be transformed into Your devotion, into attachment towards You. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur already had attachment with the Lord, but he is teaching us. There are many shortcomings within us. We should not think that we will keep our anarthas with us and at the same time will do Bhakti. We must pray that whatever anarthas we have, please convert them into Your devotion, so that my relationship with You and with Your devotees will remain eternally.

Sub-theme: from brahmavadi Sukadeva Goswami became bhakti yogi

Regarding Sukadev Goswami it is said that-

harer gunäksipta-matir
bhagavän bädaräyanih
adhyagän mahad äkhyänam
nityam visnu-jana-priyah

Translation-

“Srila Sukadeva Gosvämi, son of Srila Vyäsadeva, was not only transcendentally powerful. He was also very dear to the devotees of the Lord. Thus he underwent the study of this great narration Srimad-Bhägavatam.” [SB 1.7.11]

It is necessary to become dear to the devotees. visnu-jana-priyah, when he became dear to the devotees of the Lord, then he underwent the study of this great narration Srimad-Bhägavatam. So, it is not enough to be dear to the Lord. We have to be loved by the devotees also. It will happen only when we have a good relationship not only with the Lord but also with the devotees of the Lord. Sukadev Goswami, he is like giving a trailer of his life. Sukadev Goswami is not an ordinary person. He is Radharani’s favorite parrot, yet from the point of view of a lila, Sukadev Goswami was the brahmavadi in the beginning and used to go in the cave and meditate on Brahman.  So, the students of the Gurukul from the ashram of Vyasamuni, they used to come to the forest to collect fuel. They used to recite again and again the verses which were taught to them. They used to repeat their lessons again and again, so that they could memorize those verses. Sukadev Goswami was in the cave and was meditating on Brahman. As I told earlier in relation to four Kumaras, that none can establish relation with the Lord by worshiping His nirakar form. I am meditating on Brahman, and my relation should be developed with nirakar, the effulgence. It is never going to happen because there is no reciprocation; there is no exchange, no connection. Sukadev Goswami was meditating and outside, those students were reciting slokas. One sloka they recited-

aho bakī yaṁ stana-kāla-kūṭaṁ
jighāṁsayāpāyayad apy asādhvī
lebhe gatiṁ dhātry-ucitāṁ tato ’nyaṁ
kaṁ vā dayāluṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajema

Translation

Alas, how shall I take shelter of one more merciful than He who granted the position of mother to a she-demon [Pūtanā] although she was unfaithful and she prepared deadly poison to be sucked from her breast? [SB 3.2.23]

Uddhava says this verse while discussing with Vidura. How surprising is that Putana who had smeared her breasts with poison and came to breast feed Krsna. Her intention was to kill Krsna. But Krsna is so kind that He is thinking that Putana came to breastfeed Me, so she is My mother. dhātry-ucitāṁ, she was given the place of a midwife. ‘How shall I take shelter of one more merciful than He’, when Sukadev Goswami heard this, he thought, what is this? I am meditating on Brahman, but I am seeing something different and here they are talking about a person. And he came out, but when he came out, the students were gone. Then after a few days, they came chanting another verse, the verse was –

barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ
bibhrad vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām
randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayāpūrayan gopa-vṛndair
vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ

Translation

Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karṇikāra flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayantī garland, Lord Kṛṣṇa exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vṛndāvana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories. [SB 10.21.5]

Krsna is wearing a peacock feather on His head, He is wearing a pitambar which shines like lightning and He has a flute in His hands. And He fills the holes of the flute, adhara-sudhayāpūrayan filling it with the nectar coming out of His lips. Krsna is walking like a hero. Cowherd boys have done His full make-up with different stones and all. Krsna is going and along with Him all cowherd boys are going while singing His glories. The Gopis are seeing Krsna in this form. Hearing this Sukadev Goswami came out, followed those students and reached the same place from where he had come, the place of his father, Vyasamuni’s asrama. He stayed there and listened whole Bhagavatam. The same Bhagavatam he narrated to Pariksit Maharaj. The relation was established with Lord then Bhagavatam was appeared. What is Bhagavatam? One is Bhagavat Grantha, the book Bhagavat and second is person Bhagavat. A person becomes a Bhagavat only when he develops relation with Lord and the devotees. When he takes book Bhagavat in his heart, he becomes vyakti Bhagavat. Therefore, it can be seen that the devotees of Lord develop such relation with the Lord in this way.

Sub-theme: lesson from the pastime of Pracetas

King Prachinbarhisat had ten sons Prachetas. There is no mention of their individual names. So, all the ten brothers together were named as Pracetas. There was no need of separate names, because they were having same thoughts, one decision and all of them lived with love and devotion for each other. When their father said, creation should be expanded. So, do some austerity. So they went to the ocean and when they were doing austerity by standing in the water, Lord saw that all of these ten brothers are not only worshiping Me, but also treating each other with love and friendship, then Lord appeared in His eight armed form, on Garuda. All of them were standing in the water for austerity. Seeing the Lord they offered their prostrated obeisacnces. Lord was pleased and said-

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
varaṁ vṛṇīdhvaṁ bhadraṁ vo
yūyaṁ me nṛpa-nandanāḥ
sauhārdenāpṛthag-dharmās
tuṣṭo ’haṁ sauhṛdena vaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation — devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me. [SB 4.30.8]

Lord said, I am very pleased with you, because what have you done? Indeed you have worshiped me, but with that you all have maintained loving relationship among you. That is why I want to give you a blessing. Whoever remembers you every day in the evening time can live in loving or friendly relations with all the devotees or with all the living beings. Lord is giving this benediction; therefore we should remember Pracetas in the evening. We should remember that Pracetas did austerities, Lord gave benediction that whoever will remember them in the evening, can live in loving or friendly relations with all the devotees or with all the living beings.

Guru Maharaj was telling in one class tṛṇād api sloka is the pillar of relations between devotees. If we practice it, then we will establish a very good relationship with every devotee. This is very important. If we will consider ourselves great, then we consider others as inferior. If we will consider ourselves insignificant and respect others, then definitely our behavior with the devotees will be very good. And relation with Krsna and relation with His name will be good. We are servants of the Harinam, we are the servants of Mahamantra. As it is said

jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
kṛṣṇera ‘taṭasthā-śakti’ ‘bhedābheda-prakāśa’

Translation

“It is the living entity’s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa because he is the marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa and a manifestation Translation

simultaneously one with and different from the Lord. [ CC Madhya 20.108]

kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’ the eternal servant of Krsna, means the eternal servant of Harinama. As Guru Maharaj was telling in one Japa talk, we are having God realization, and there is no difference between God realization and Harinama realization. So, when we are having God realization, means we are having Harinama realization. jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’, means jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — harinamera ‘nitya-dāsa’

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

Translation

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

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ means nām ekaṁ is also there. One has to surrender to the name of the Lord. What is the method of taking surrender of Lord in Kaliyuga- by chanting His names. Immediately it establishes connection with the Lord.

Sub-theme: History of Latur

The place where I am currently living is named Latur. It is in Maharashtra; comes after Nanded. The story of Latur is also very interesting. 5000 years ago, Yudhishthir Maharaj was performing Rajasuya Yajna in Hastinapur. Everyone knows that in Rajasuya yajna, there is a horse and that horse is being released. If that horse is welcomed, it is understood that these people are accepting to live under the king, accepting him as an emperor. But sometimes some people do not let the horse go ahead and keep it with them or want to kill them, which means they do not want to accept the king as emperor. The name of this place was Ratnapura before Latur. There was a king here Malaidhwaj. The king was a devotee of Lord. His son Tamradhwaj was not a devotee of Lord. That place is still there. I have not visited, but I was told the story. When the horse came, Tamradhwaj did not allow the horse to go further. He stopped the horse and thought to kill the horse or not to let him go further. When Lord came to know that someone was stopping the horse of Rajasuya Yajna of Yudhishthir Maharaj, He Himself came here and fought with Tamradhwaj. Malaidhwaj king came to know, ‘oh what has my son done. But good thing is Lord Himself has arrived and giving His darshan.’ That place is here and on the coming Basant Panchami, on the 14th of this month, Guru Maharaj himself is coming here. Jagannath, Baldev, Subhadra is going to be installed here. They were already present here, but a special temple hall is being constructed. Jagannath is being installed there by the lotus hands of Guru Maharaj. It is a humble request at the lotus feet of all Vaishnavs. If it is possible, you can definitely come and pray for the success of the program. And for the pleasure of Guru Maharaj and the Lord, the preaching work should expand and especially while maintaining loving relationship with the devotees. This is very important. There is a lot of preaching going on, but it is also necessary to maintain a good relationship with the devotees. I end my speech here. Hare Krsna, Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai.

Date: 7 February 2024
Speaker: HG Hari Kirtan Prabhu Ji
Topic: Essential Condition for Devotion, Five Veils of Ignorance and types of Devotees
HG Hari Kirtan Prabhu Ji:

Hare Krishna!

Today we will take forward the talk held on 16th January. All you devotees are welcome. Last time we discussed some references from HH Sacinandan Swami Maharaj’s Govardhan Japa Retreat. Today we take this discussion forward. Let us recap what we discussed last time so that you can remember everything.

We had discussed the right way to go and the right way to take shelter. We had tried to know the status of Holy Name through Roop Goswami Namashtaka. All the Vedas and Upanishads worship the aura emanating from the nails of the Lord. After that we discussed whether we only know Holy name Prabhu or have we also made some changes in our lives through Him. Are we gradually moving from being objective to being situated in purpose? What is going on inside us while chanting? Are we experiencing God’s presence while chanting? Do we get excited while chanting or do we simply have to end the chanting because we have given a resolution to the Guru? What is our feeling while chanting? We had discussed all these points last time. Does chanting make us feel interrupted or do we experience divine ecstasy? Am I exhausted or excited while chanting? Am I having a change of heart? Do I take shelter in Holy Name when any disorder arises? Is the Name working in such a way that our hearts are purified? Is our heart becoming capable for establishing Lord? What is my relationship with Holy Name and how far do I want to take this relationship? What helps us to chant the name steadfastly? To achieve our love for Krishna, to attract Krishna, to do everything for Krishna’s
happiness, do we remember all these purposes? Krishna love is Krishna’s property, how will Lord Krishna give us love? In this context we saw the example of a child. Just as a child sees that there is a woman here who serves me 24 hours a day, does we think that we are serving Holy Name? What is our real preparation to receive Krishna’s love? We must ask ourselves what we really want from Lord? Whatever we want, Krishna gives us the same. God doesn’t see what we give Him, He sees what is hidden within us. This is very important because Kapil Muni has said that devotion is of satvik, rajasik, tamasik and nirguna type of devotion. What kind of devotion is ours?

Today we will discuss these types of devotees. God reciprocates our desire, so we have to increase our desire to be with Krishna, to please Krishna, to always do things that please Krishna, only then will Krishna give us His love. There is a need to be a change of heart about who we are and our relationship with Lord. It is very important that we constantly think about our true nature. Keep contaminating it and knowing ourselves at the soul level, we should understand how to behave towards all other living beings. Our desire to attain Lord must increase in intensity. We find it very difficult to control our mind. Has our mind accepted Holy Name? It is very important whether we are entering the world of Holy Name while chanting or not. Guru Maharaj also says many times that the mind should enter the name, form, qualities, Pastimes and abode of God. We should continuously listen and think about the importance of Holy name and how it is a pure work for us.

Once a counselee from Noida was asking why so many specialties are mentioned about the name every time? How can one sit for two hours and chant the same mantra? When he came to know about the glory of the name, within a year and a half he chants sixteen rounds while sitting in the same posture. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to the topic of Holy name. The names are Vrajendranandan Krishna Himself and Radha Rani. Vrindavan is Dham in reality, the pastimes of Krishna are in reality.

CC, Madhya lila,17.133:
nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ

Translation:

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

Sri Shiksha Ashtakam, Shloka 2:
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragah

Translation:

O Bhagavan, Your holy name bestows all auspiciousness upon the living entities. Therefore, for the benefit of the jivas, You eternally manifest Your innumerable names, such as Rama, Narayana, Krishna, Mukunda, Madhava, Govinda, and Damodara. You have invested those names with all the potencies of their respective forms. Out of causeless mercy, You have not even imposed any restrictions on the chanting and remembrance of such names.

Nonetheless, I am so unfortunate due to committing offenses that I have no attachment for Your holy name, which is so easily accessible and bestows all good fortune.

All the powers are contained in Holy Name. To attain the name of the Lord, there should be a state of lamentation in the mind, there should be a state of despair that I have wasted one life after another. This lamentation brings humility within us. When we accept the name not just reflecting our true position before the Lord, then humility grows within us. I have not moved towards you for so many lives. I am so fallen. Now I will try to please you. Please help me. By praying humbly in this way, Krishna listens. If we do not have humility, we cannot please Lord.

Three conditions are essential for devotion:
• Humility,
• Mercy and,
• Forgiveness.

Without humility we cannot receive Krishna’s mercy. Along with humility, we should not look at the shortcomings of our equals, superiors or inferior devotees. This makes Krishna very pleased when we appreciate each other. We should always see good qualities in all the devotees. Even if we have an argument with someone, we should see what he is doing for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement? How he is serving Srila Prabhupada for his happiness.

Krishna always pays attention to the virtues of all living beings. He is a sensitive person. We should learn from our Guru that if the Guru had turned away from us after seeing the bad qualities within us, we all would not be sitting here today. Despite knowing all our bad qualities, the Guru ignites the fire by fanning the spark within us. In this way, we also have to give up our tendency to look at faults forever. One should not look at the faults not only of the devotees but of every living being. We have nurtured the tendency to look for faults since time immemorial. Due to our false ego, we show ourselves superior to others and degrade others.

We have come into this world to compete with the Lord with five veils of ignorance which have been given to us by Brahma. When knowledge came, we realized how much harm we have done to ourselves by remaining ignorant. Srila Prabhupada used to say firstly become conscious and then Krishna conscious. We have received such high praise without our qualification. If we had to give a test before coming to Krishna Consciousness, I would hardly have passed.

We have to develop in ourselves those qualities which God and His devotees have. If our devotion is not going towards pure devotion, it means that there is something lacking in our efforts. If I want to attain Krishna’s love in this birth, I will have to do it consciously. We have to chant offense less and consciously. Just as when we lock a lock, we turn the key three times. In this way, the Holy name also looks simply, but he has locked himself in a lock. If we do not try to do it day and night with right consciousness, with love, with concentration and with respect, the lock of this secret will not open.

Holy Name is the substance and how to taste the sweetness?
The key is the right intention.

What is the key to develop the taste for Holy Name? What is the key to savouring Holy Name by which Haridas Thakura chants 3 lakh names and Srila Rupa Goswami says:

CC Antya 1.99:
tuṇḍe tāṇḍavinī ratiṁ vitanute tuṇḍāvalī-labdhaye
karṇa-kroḍa-kaḍambinī ghaṭayate karṇārbudebhyaḥ spṛhām
cetaḥ-prāṅgaṇa-saṅginī vijayate sarvendriyāṇāṁ kṛtiṁ
no jāne janitā kiyadbhir amṛtaiḥ kṛṣṇeti varṇa-dvayī

Translation:

I do not know how much nectar the two syllables ‘Kṛṣ-ṇa’ have produced. When the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.

Shri Vishwanath Chakraborty Thakur says that if I had millions of mouths and millions of ears, I would be able to taste the juice of Holy Name well. But why can’t we experience the test? There is a sweet effect in this Holy Name but why don’t I feel it? Because our feeling is not right that we want to have a very deep relationship with Lord.

HH Sachinandan Swami Maharaj was telling that Srila Prabhupada wrote the explanation of 11 verses with meaning in the Nectar of Devotion. He sent its copy to Germany for printing. Prabhupada said that this book is only for sannyasis. So, I read the book completely. Later, Prabhupada send a telegram to him asking him to print 1 lakh copies of this book. At this time, I understood that Prabhupada wanted all the common people to study and become sannyasis. As we see, in the very first verse of Nectar of Devotion, it has been told about the practice of devotion in which we can endure birth after birth, but in the 7th verse of this book, we have also been told about its method.

Today we will discuss the same and see which disease Srila Roop Goswami is talking about. This disease will be reduced by only two things. They are: With respect and daily practice. In earlier times, there used to be jaundice and our father used to bring sugarcane juice. When we drank it, it tasted bitter and caused us to vomit. Jaundice causes bile disease which causes loss of interest in food.

What is that thing that creates disinterest in devotion to Krishna?
That is ignorance.

NOI 7:
syāt kṛṣṇa-nāma-caritādi-sitāpy avidyāpittopatapta-rasanasya na rocikā nu
kintv ādarād anudinaṁ khalu saiva juṣṭā
svādvī kramād bhavati tad-gada-mūla-hantrī

Translation:

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kṛṣṇa are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyā [ignorance] cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root.

The disease of ignorance has afflicted us. It is because of ignorance that we are finding the taste of sugar candy in the form of Krishna’s name, form, qualities etc. bitter. Ignorance creates a huge distance between Krishna’s name and us.

SB 3.12.2:
sasarjāgre ’ndha-tāmisram
atha tāmisram ādi-kṛt
mahāmohaṁ ca mohaṁ ca
tamaś cājñāna-vṛttayaḥ

Translation:

Brahmā first created the nescient engagements like self-deception, the sense of death, anger after frustration, the sense of false ownership, and the illusory bodily conception, or forgetfulness of one’s real identity.

Five veils due to ignorance are:
1. Tama (Ignorance of the sense): Ignorance first made us forget our real identity. We are happy to see ourselves in the mirror, happy to see our body parts. But we forget that this body is made only of flushes, urine and skin. We have to practice our true identity every day. We should stand in front of the mirror and say, ‘I am not this body, I am not these eyes, I am not this ear. One day this body and all its parts will be destroyed.’ We have to practice it every day. We consider ourselves a woman, a man, a son, an engineer, all these are physical titles. This disease is the root of all our material problems.

2. Moha (Attachment): After that there is second Ignorance, attachment, considering the body with the self. We should meditate on how much time I consider myself a body and how much time I behave like a soul. Am I seeing others on a soul level? I am a mother-in-law so do I see my daughter-in-law as Krishna’s part and parcel? We are all parts of Krishna. We are all extensions of Krishna. Just like a finger is proud of being
a part of the body, sometimes we wear a ring on the finger and sometimes we polish its nails. Only when the finger is connected to the body, it is respected and has virtue. I belong to Krishna.

Prayers to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna:
tavasmi radhika-natha
karmana manasa gira
krishna-kante tavaivasmi
yuvam eva gatir mama
sharanam vam prapanno ‘smi
karuna-nikarakarau
prasadam kuru dasyam bho
mayi dushte ‘paradhini

Translation:

“O Lord of Shrimati Radharani, I am Yours; my actions, mind and words. O lover of Shri Krishna, Shrimate Radharani, I belong to You alone. You both are my only shelter. O Radha and Krishna, ocean of mercy, I am taking shelter of You. Please be pleased upon me and make me Your
servant, although I am such a fallen offender.”

We have to stand before Lord and talk again and again. I am not this body, I am a part of Krishna. I will take care of the body. Because this body has been given to me by Krishna as an instrument and with the help of this instrument, I will reach my destination by serving the Guru and following his orders. So, I will take good care of the body. Because it is Krishna’s property. I am also a part of Krishna and this body also belongs to Krishna. I have been given this body so that I can adopt my true identity from this body and be free from this physical bondage.

3. MahaMoha: The third disease is great attachment, Maha Moha. When we start sharing it with ourselves, we become interested in enjoying everything related to it. We develop an attachment towards enjoying our material things. Most of our time starts being spent in food, sleep and sexual activities.

4. Tamishra (anger that arises from the lack of sense gratification): The fourth disease is Tamishra, anger that arises from the lack of sense gratification. As explained in Nectar of Devotion, when we do not like any conflict between ourselves and our sense gratifications and we want to continue to have full sense gratifications, then it is called Avaroddha Preeti. But Lord’s arrangement is such that there are always some obstacles in it. Sometimes our body suffers from disease or we are not able to enjoy anything, due to which anger arises.

5. Andha Tamishra: The fifth covering is: Andha Tamishra, Total absorption in material energy. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur says that we should devote eight hours to sadhana, eight hours to work and eight hours to the body. We should think about how much time we are spending in the service of Lord. We should think whether we are spending eight hours in listening to the pastimes of Lord or in doing service. How does our entire day turn out after doing sadhana for two-three hours? total absorption in material energy.

We have to consciously work on how much time I spend in serving Krishna. The most amazing thing is that if we wish, Holy Name can be with us anytime, anywhere.

CC Antya 20.18:
khāite śuite yathā tathā nāma laya
kāla-deśa-niyama nāhi, sarva siddhi haya

Translation:

Regardless of time or place, one who chants the holy name, even while eating or sleeping, attains all perfection.

We can chant Holy Nameeven while toothbrushing. Holy Name can be recited while taking bath. If we are climbing stairs, we can chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra while climbing each step. We have to make Holy Name enter our consciousness.

Further, Maharaj was telling that it is mentioned in Arhit Samhita that the way sugar candy cures many diseases of our body, fulfils the deficiency of all kinds of nutrients and improves semen in men. So many diseases can be cured by one sugar candy and the sugar candy starts
tasting delicious. In this way, if we chant the Holy Name with love and respect, it gradually destroys all our material desires. There should be no doubt in us that we are chanting the Holy Name, and all our desires will not go away. Earlier we were living a demonic life and now we have started trying to live a virtuous life like the devotees, then will not Holy Name make us fulfil our purpose in future. We should have strong faith in this. We have to practice chanting with love and respect every day. We can sit and chant with our Guru every day, we can have darshan of our Guru while chanting. We have to chant without guilt every day. If we stop speaking wrong then it is not a qualification. We also have to try to speak sweetly. We have to chant without ten offences and chant with love and respect.

Maharaj then talked about three types of devotees:
• Conventional devotees
• Committed devotees and,
• Confidential devotees.

Conventional devotees: How can Lord help us in this world? We pray like, Krishna!something is going to happen in my life, you take care of it.

Committed devotees: The aim of their life is to please Krishna.

Confidential devotees: Whose aim is to enter the abode of God. They are passionate devotees. They are free from all types of lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy. They see the Lord in His pastimes every day.

Gopal Guru Goswami explains about the Hare Krishna Mahamantra that free my mind from the bondage of every being and become happy with me by engaging me in your service. Holy Name can save our way to reach this stage. It is very important that we should have a sense of purpose every day, we should resolve to make our mind enter the abode of Krishna every day.

We will discuss in the next session that how to chant lovingly and respectfully. When we take the name with intense yearning and our tears start flowing and we are completely convinced that my only requirement is to attain Krishna’s love, then we will be able to chant with love.
We will discuss about that in the next session.
Hare Krishna!

Topic: Spread the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Date:6^th February2024
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Guru Maharaj says:

jayasri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaitagadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
KrishnaKrishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki Prabhu! Krsna Chandra ki Jay! Chaitanya Chandra ki Jay!

Ekadashi Mahotsava ki Jai!

On this special day you all havespecially gathered. I welcome the additional participants as well. Ram will come! So last Ekadashi I was in Ayodhya. Ayodhya Dham ki Jai! Ram Ayege Ram Ayege and then Ram also came. Rama Lala Pranprathisha took place. Not only people in Ayodhya, but people all around India and infact the entire world were happy and they celebrated it. So we Hare Krsna devotees or Gaudiya Vaishnava devotees brought Gaur Nitai in Ayodhya. Padayatra devotees brought them to Ayodhya. But people didn’t recognise Gaur Nitai who are Ram Laxman only. We chanted

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
KrishnaKrishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare

And danced and performed kirtan. They welcomed us and wherever the chariot went, people performed kirtan but they didn’t recognise Gaura Nitai who appeared in Dvapar yuga as Krsna Balaram, inn Treta yuga as Ram and Laxman and Iwas not happy with this thing. Ram will come, Ram will comebut when he came as Rama and Laxman people didn’t understand. But to understand this thing is important. In Kaliyuga he appeared as Gaura Nitai. He is  Rama, Krsna and Gauranga but in Kaliyuga that Rama and Krsna appeared as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He is eternal, the only constant amongst all.Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki Prabhu! And after appearing he says:

 Bg. 4.8

paritrāṇāyasādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmiyugeyuge

Translation

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

He establishes dharma in different forms, incarnations and yugas. So he establishes the yuga dharma which is specific to every yuga to attain him. Kaliyuga’s dharma is

CC Madhya 11.98

avatari’ caitanyakaila dharma-pracāraṇa
kali-kāle dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana

Translation

“In this Age of Kali, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Kṛṣṇa is the religious principle for this age.”

CC Ādi 7.76

harernāmaharernāma
harernāmaivakevalam
kalaunāstyevanāstyeva
nāstyevagatiranyathā

Translation

“For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord”.

So to establish this harinaamdharma , he appeared in the beginning of Kali yuga. It is the period of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Rama and Krsna work through Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in this Kaliyuga. So all avatars appear with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is only Ramaand  Krsna and he establishes the yuga dharma.

Jaya JayaJagganath- By Vasudeva Ghosh

sri-radharabhabaebegoraabatara
hare krsnanamagaurakarilapracara (4)

Translation

To taste the ecstasy that Radha feels in Her love for Him, He has now incarnated here in the form of Lord Gaura. As Lord Gaura He preaches the chanting of the holy names of the Hare Krsn a mantra.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu established Harinaam dharma. He predicted also and in Ayodhya new temple was opening but when he appeared in Mayapur or Nawadwip he predicted which is what even Rama and  Krsna also predicted. He said that in all cities and towns my glories will spread. There is just one temple in Ayodhya but temples will be built across the globe. Sri Krsna Janambhumi. In every city and town temples will be inaugurated. So this boy called Abhay and when his charts were read by the astrologer the astrologer saidthat  hewill establish108 temple around the world and he made it true. We inaugurated only one temple in Ayodhya. But he inaugurated Rama mandir in Washington DC, London and also Gaur Nitai mandir,Jagannatha mandir, Nrishmha dev temple and in his lifetime he established so many temples. Till now 1000 temples have been established in the last fifty years. So,now only 9500 years of this golden period is left. The temples will be built in more cities. This Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rama will do. Hari Hari.  Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhugave Sarvabhauma bhattacharyawho was his devotee,Shathabhuja darshans with two hands with arrow and bow and with the other two he is playing with flute and in with other two he has in one hand a  pot and Danda in the other and he proved that he is all in one- Rama, Krsna and himself. This happened in Jagannath Puri.

Murari gupta was an associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who was Hanuman himself and he manifested himself in that form. He appeared in the same village as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Jai Hanuman. He is used to write a diary everyday. He used to write all his pastimes and experiences with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in a diary. He gave him special darshans for 33 hours which is known as Mahaprakashlila. He gave his darshans for 1000 of devotees as per there eternal relationship with him. So when he gave him darshans, he saw ChaitanayaMahaprabhu as Rama! And when he was having darshans he saw himself as Hanuman only. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became Ram for him and he appeared with a tail. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu when he went to South India all these pastimes occured. When he came to Nashik, Rama was here and Sita was kidnapped from here. So when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came there so people said that Rama has came! Ram came! There was a palm tree which he hugged and the body of tree and dehi is the soul so they all went to Vaikuntha in front of people’s eyes. They saw how they were getting de-rooted and going to Vaikuntha. Who else can do this other than Rama? So when they saw this they understood that he is Rama. Jai Sri Rama! Jai Sri Rama!

When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was near Madurai, which is near Rameshwaram he stayed in a Rama’s devotee ashram, it was noon time, which was his time for begging and he asked if thefood  was ready. The Brahmanas over there said that when Laxman will bring root vegetables and then Sita will cookand  then we will give you bhoga. That brahaman thought that this is my Rama who ismy VanvasiRama with Sita and Laxman. That Brahmana said I don’t want to live how can Ilive? When that Ravan kidnappedSita ,I could not stand this.Then at that time Chaitanya Mahaprabhu consoled him and told him that Ravana kidnapped Chaya Sita and he cannot kidnap MoolSita.So Raam’s Sita was not kidnapped. Then that’s how he convinced him. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to a Brahaman Gathering in Madurai the same discussion was happening there also  and he came back from Rameshwaram to Madurai and gave him a copy of the Vedic references about this pastime to them. So this is how he helped his Rama Bhakta and he became Rama for them.

rama-namaivaramanamaivaramanamaiva mam jivanam
kalaunastyevanastyevanastyevagatiranyatha.
(Skandha Purana Uttarakhanda, 5.51)

This shloka comes in Ramayana Mahatmya. In Kali Sankaran Purana, we haveharer naam harer naam. Sothe glories of holynames will spread in all cities and towns.

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
KrishnaKrishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare

One time one person asked that the mantra you speak does it have Rama’s name in this?Prabhupada said yes yes he is Sita’s Rama, Rama Chandra only. Hare Ram Hare Ram means he is Radha Raman Radha Raman Radha Radha Raan Raman. One can take it as Ram naam. Ram’s name is  Ram, Balram and Parshuram. He is welcomed. Wonderful! You can chant in that mood and do kirtan and japaalso. So,RamAyenge Ram aayenge and he came to Ayodhya but when people will say Gauranga will come,Gauranga will come?Panduranaga is Gauranga. Thisare the times of Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. In Orissa and Bengal people know them the most as Chaitanya Charitamrita and Chaitanya Bhagavat books which are written in Bengali. Srila BhaktisiddhantSaraswati Thakur told Abhay babu to preach the glories of Gaudiya Vaishnavas in foreign countries. When he translated his work ,he said distribute as many books as possible. Then people from around the world knew about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he is only Sri Krsna himself. Then he said “naam se dhamtak”.Mayapur Dham ki Jai! People know Ayodhya and Vrindavan but who knowsNavadwip and Mayapur. It is same as Vrindavan. Vrindavan is equal to Mayapur. So Srila Prabhupada threw light on this and people in Russia, Chinaetc know more about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu than Indians. And they are the ones who know Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s name and temples are also built there and there ancient culture of India is spreading everywhere. They are becoming Go-bhakshaks(Beef eaters) are becoming  the protectors of cow. Srila Prabhupada asked people to not eat meat.

Bg. 9.26

patraṁpuṣpaṁphalaṁtoyaṁ
yo me bhaktyāprayacchati
tad ahaṁbhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmiprayatātmanaḥ

Translation

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

Everyone should eat prasadam and chain of Govindasrestaurants  are opened. Gurukuls are being opened. People are  learning Sanskrit. They are becoming Su-Sankrit by reading Sanskrit. Sanskrit let us take up our culture. Culture is attached to it. So that’s why they are taught Sanskrit. Every culture is attached with the language. Lifestyle is getting changed. It being taught  worldwide.And Srila Prabhupda gave four principles and Kali is being defeated like this.

ŚB 1.17.38

sūtauvāca
abhyarthitastadātasmai
sthānānikalayedadau
dyūtaṁpānaṁstriyaḥsūnā
yatrādharmaścatur-vidhaḥ

Translation

SūtaGosvāmī said: MahārājaParīkṣit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed.

The Kaliyuga stay there where people drink, gamble, eat meat and have illicit sex which is given by Parikshit Maharaj. Srila Prabhupada gave these four principles. No one has given these rules before to foreigners. In India to some extend this is given, but internationallySrila Prabhupada emphasised on this globally. ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada ki jay!

Jai Sri Rama!

Well I want to see to that the glories of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is preached everywhere and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Rama and he is not less than Sri Rama but in fact more than him. So this world need Chaitanya Mahaprabhu because

CC Madhya 19.53

namomahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāyate
kṛṣṇāyakṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmnegaura-tviṣenamaḥ

Translation

“O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself appearing as ŚrīKṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of ŚrīmatīRādhārāṇī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

As much as Ram showed compassionbut  ChaitanyaMahaprabhu was more compassionate than him because people are more fallen in this yuga then any other yuga. We need more compassion than other yuga people. So, he showed more compassion than needed.

Shri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Doya Koro More by Narottama Das Thakur

shri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu doya koro more
tomabinakedoyalujagat-samsare

Without you who is more compassionate. Sri Krsna and Rama is also not that compassionate. Although Rama and Krsna is same as Chaitanya Mahaprabhubut  you are most compassionate for fallen souls of Kaliyuga. He is the right personality of Godhead and his pastimes, qualities and pastimes and associates are just like Krsna and Rama’s pastimes, qualities and pastimes and associates. This isChaitanaya Raaj and Ram raaj is also there but if Chaitanya Raaj spreads then Rama and Krsna Raaj will spread. Chaitanya Raaj is complete and supreme and is for the benefit for all. It is for everyone. Chaitanayaraaj is for every soul and forget this that we are Hindu, Christian and Muslim. We are soul. Soul is not Hindu, Muslim or Christian and know its constitutional position is important:

CC Madhya 19.170

sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ
tat-paratvenanirmalam
hṛṣīkeṇahṛṣīkeśa-
sevanaṁbhaktirucyate

Translation

‘Bhakti, or devotional service, means engaging all our senses in the service of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of all the senses. When the spirit soul renders service unto the Supreme, there are two side effects. One is freed from all material designations, and one’s senses are purified simply by being employed in the service of the Lord.’

We have to get rid of all the designations and theseare not true. Our Motherland and Fatherland is Vaikuntha. Now new positions have come up but souls are eternal. Before 2000 years ago no one was Muslim, Christian or buddha’s followers. All were Sanatanis:

Jīvkṛṣṇa-dās, eiviśvāskorle to’ ārduḥkhonāi [Gītāvalī] by Bhakti Vinod Thakur

Jiva is Krsna dasa. Forget the body. It is not related to a specific religion. Krsna Consciousness is the solution.

sarvebhavantusukhinaḥsarvesantunirāmayāḥ|
sarvebhadrāṇipaśyantumākaścidduḥkhabhāgbhavet||

Translation

May all be happy; May all be free from infirmities; May all see good; May none partake suffering.

This is possible and it will possible by preaching. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki jai and Nityanand Prabhu ki Jai. They are the Founder God and Srila Prabhupada is founder acharya.

CB Adi-khanda 1.1

TEXT 1
ajanu-lambita-bhujaukanakavadatau
sankirtanaika-pitaraukamalayatakshau
vishvambharaudvija-varau yuga-dharma-palau
vandejagatpriya-karaukarunavatarau

TRANSLATION

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

He is the mercy incarnation. This movement is for the benefit for all. It will bring peace in the world.They came here for the establishment of dharma:

BG 4.8

paritranayasadhunam
vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
sambhavamiyugeyuge

TRANSLATION

In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.

And for that only Srila Prabhupada established this movement on behalf of them and made us fortunate and you all of fortunate and intelligent and you are welcome everyday. Understand these things and preach, take this and give this to others and this.

CC Ādi 9.41

bhārata-bhūmitehailamanuṣyajanmayāra
janmasārthakakari’ kara para-upakāra

Translation

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

If you want to make your life successful then do this. Have mercy on others and this is the highest service. Share the mercy, holynames and ChaitanayaMahaprabhu with other. Share Chaitanya Charitamrita. Go to Mayapur who is stopping you from going? Go to Mayapur and think about his naam form,qualities, pastimes, and this should be your mission in life. People should know about him and very few people know about him. Rama and Krsna is welcome always. So Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON to spread his glories.

nama om vishnu-padayakrishna-preshthayabhu-tale
srimatebhaktivedanta-svaminitinamine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

namastesarasvatedevegaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanya deva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

He preached the vani of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Rama and Krsna. We need to preach more about them. Please be engaged. Who wants to do that? So you also be ready! I took so much of your time. Thank you so much of your time. I always do that.

Gauranga Gauranga. You havesay to Nityananda. Shyam Preyasi–“Are you saying or not?”

Hari Hari!

Japa talk 05/02/24
Speaker : Srila Prabhupada lecture in Vrindavan
October 30 , 1973

Theme : class on Bahgwat Geeta verse 7.2

jñānaṁ te ’haṁ sa-vijñānam
idaṁ vakṣyāmy aśeṣataḥ
yaj jñātvā neha bhūyo ’nyaj
jñātavyam avaśiṣyate

Translation

I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know

Yesterday we were discussing devotion and attachment. .

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha
yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ
asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ
yathā jñāsyasi tac chṛṇu 

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Pṛthā, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt. [ BG 7.1]

If we increase our attachment towards the Lord and the process to increase attachment is given as,

Theme : Shradha is the first step to increase attachment. In the Lord

ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-
saṅgo ’tha bhajana-kriyā
tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt
tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ
athāsaktis tato bhāvas
tataḥ premābhyudañcati
sādhakānām ayaṁ premṇaḥ
prādurbhāve bhavet kramaḥ

Translation

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

Shradha means trust in the Lord. Lord said that

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

Translation

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

We should have complete faith in this. Actually all our work happens perfectly if we surrender to the lotus feet of the Lord. This is called trust. Kaviraj Goswami has mentioned the meaning of Shradha in Chaitanya Charitamrita as

‘śraddhā’-śabde — viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya
kṛṣṇe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kṛta haya

Translation

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

Lord says that leave everything and take shelter of Me. One should have complete faith in Krsna as Krsna will certainly protect me.

 * avaśya rakṣibe kṛṣṇa. Rakṣiṣyati iti viśvāsa-pālanam-
 Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s Śaraṇāgati

This is surrender. You all are sitting in Vrindavan but some devotees are sitting in some dense forest but they have complete faith that I am in the shelter of Krsna and He will certainly protect me. This is known as Shradha. Actually Krsna is present in the heart of each living entity.

 īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati
bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni
yantrārūḍhāni māyayā

Translation

The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.. [ BG 18.61]

No one is alone here. The Lord is sitting in the heart of everyone. The Lord wants us to at least give some attention to the Lord. The Lord is well wisher of all living entities.

bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

Translation

A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. [ BG 5.29]

Theme : What is attachment

Therefore the Lord always stays with us. So the first step to develop attachment towards the Lord is Shradha or faith that if we surrender at the Lotus feet of the Lord then certainly our life will be perfect. We do not need to do anything else like gyan, yog , or austerity. Nothing is required. Only surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord. It is known as attachment. And this has various levels such as Shradha or faith. Next is the association  of sadhus . The sadhus who are continuously engaged in the worship of the Lord. No one becomes sadhus by wearing saffron clothes. The symptom is a sadhu is

 satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate

Translation

Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion. [ BG 9.14]

api cet su-durācāro
bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ
samyag vyavasito hi saḥ

Translation

Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. [ BG 9.30]

Sadhu does bhajan all the time and nothing else. So if we have this faith or Shradha that our life will be fruitful ( sidh)  by surrendering at the lotus feet of the Lord. Fruitlife life mean ? We are trapped in the cycle  of birth, death, old age and disease. Our soul is eternal and it can not be destroyed. 

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ’yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

Translation

For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain. [ BG 2.20]

I am a spirit soul. Our body is destroyed but our soul is eternal. We never die. We just have to change our body.  This is our inconvenience and it is  known as a life cycle. We should get freedom from this. We should have a perfect understanding of this. It is known as complete knowledge.

amānitvam adambhitvam
ahiṁsā kṣāntir ārjavam
ācāryopāsanaṁ śaucaṁ
sthairyam ātma-vinigrahaḥ
indriyārtheṣu vairāgyam
anahaṅkāra eva ca
janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-
duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam
asaktir anabhiṣvaṅgaḥ
putra-dāra-gṛhādiṣu
nityaṁ ca sama-cittatvam
iṣṭāniṣṭopapattiṣu
mayi cānanya-yogena
bhaktir avyabhicāriṇī
vivikta-deśa-sevitvam
aratir jana-saṁsadi
adhyātma-jñāna-nityatvaṁ
tattva-jñānārtha-darśanam
etaj jñānam iti proktam
ajñānaṁ yad ato ’nyathā

Translation

Humility; pridelessness; nonviolence; tolerance; simplicity; approaching a bona fide spiritual master; cleanliness; steadiness; self-control; renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease; detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people; accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth – all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance. [ Bg. 13.8-12]

 Someone from thousands of people will try to know what is actually the perfection of our life.

 manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
kaścid yatati siddhaye
yatatām api siddhānāṁ
kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

Translation

Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth. [ BG 7.3]

From thousands of such knowledgeable people few will understand  the  Lord.

Theme : Importance of association of sadhu.

Therefore first is Shradha and then association of sadhus. As we increase our association with sadhu then Shradha or faith also increases. As Shradha increases then along with it our sidhi (perfection of life ) also increases. From this our attachment to the Lord increases. After this one starts daily devotional practice known as bhajan kriya or daily sadhana. Acharya told us how sadhu perform their bhajan. For this we should go to spiritual master.

tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet

Translation

This śrotriyam means that one who is coming in disciplic succession.

. [Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.2.12].

This is ved vani and it is fact. Sadhu means guru. Sadhu , guru and scriptures. Shri Narrotam Das Thakure says that

, sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya, cittete kariya aikya:

“One should accept as one’s guide the words of the sadhus, the sastra and the guru”

Sadhu is identified from the scriptures and sadhus bhajan is scriptures. Guru is a sadhu and he knows scriptures. This sadhu,  guru and scriptures. As we associate with sadhu then they guide us to do bhajan kriya. And with this bhajan our anartha nivritti – our offences begin to reduce.we are doing many offences. They all start reducing. Offences are sins. So we are free from sins.  We suggest to the devotees from America or Europe about illicit sex to stop it. One should have a relationship with our married wife only  and no one else. This is illicit. It is the biggest sin. This is

offence. This will not make you progress in devotion. Because as long as you are committing sins then you will not be able to do Lord’s bhajan perfectly. Lord says that

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ
janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām
te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā
bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

Translation

Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life and whose sinful actions are completely eradicated are freed from the dualities of delusion, and they engage themselves in My service with determination. [ BG 7.28]

To do bhajan with a perfect attitude or feelings one has to  be free from offences. Then one  will  not have sins in his life. What is sinful life ? It is illicit sex and killing of animals for our pleasure, intoxication and gambling. This is mentioned in scriptures. With proper bhajan we gradually get freedom from these offences. After this our interest ( ruchi) in Lord’s pastimes develops. And this increases attachment with the Lord. As mentioned in Srimad Bhagwatam

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt satām

Translation

a truthful devotee cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted. [SB 1.2.17]

Devotional life begins with hearing katha of the Lord. Hearing the Lord’s pastimes cleanses the heart of the devotee and then he becomes pure devotee. Everyone has love for the Lord in his heart. It is not an external thing. How  have these Americans become Krsna devotees ? Because they already have love for the Lord in their heart. This love is awakened  in their heart by hearing Lord’s katha.

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya

 Translation

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

Gradually attachment towards Lord’s katha increases. This  is mentioned in Bhagwat.hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhṛt sa – Lord is well wisher of each living entity but for devotees He has special mercy. Lord is exiting in everyone’s heart and the Lord observes that this soul’s interest in katha is increasing then the discourteous habits start to vanish. Lust , greed are discourteous activities. The Lord destroys this.

 Our heart is impure due to maya. The modes of passion and ignorance are existing in our heart.

tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ
kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye
ceta etair anāviddhaṁ
sthitaṁ sattve prasīdati

Translation

As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy. [SB 1.2.19]

Theme : Mode of passion

The characteristics of the mode of passion is greed. 2 rotis are sufficient for us but still we want 10 rotis. Therefore the whole day we wander here and there to earn more. We are not settled on 2 rotis. The lust and greed are settled in our heart. Therefore we should listen to Lord’s katha. In this way , interest – faith – attachment increases. After that bhav is developed. After that Love is awakened.

ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-
saṅgo ’tha bhajana-kriyā
tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt
tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ
athāsaktis tato bhāvas
tataḥ premābhyudañcati
sādhakānām ayaṁ premṇaḥ
prādurbhāve bhavet kramaḥ 

Translation

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

Theme : what is perfect knowledge about the Lord

To know all this  is perfect knowledge. The Lord Himself has said jñānaṁ te ’haṁ sa-vijñānam. Gyan or knowledge is theoretical. Brahma gyan is theoretical and svigyan is Bhakti. We understand aham brahmasmi – but only understanding is not enough. We should apply it to our life. If we do not apply it in our life then our downfall begins.

ye ’nye ’ravindākṣa vimukta-māninas
tvayy asta-bhāvād aviśuddha-buddhayaḥ
āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ
patanty adho ’nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ

Translation

[Someone may say that aside from devotees, who always seek shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet, there are those who are not devotees but who have accepted different processes for attaining salvation. What happens to them? In answer to this question, Lord Brahmā and the other demigods said:] O lotus-eyed Lord, although nondevotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for Your lotus feet. [SB 10.2.32]

Even if someone attains Brahma gyan by difficult austerity still he falls down. Why ? ’nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ – because these brahmgyani people disrespect Lord’s lotus feet. They think that the Lord is formless, He does not have feet and hands. Therefore they fall down. The Lord is explaining about vigyan and gyan. Actually we will get proper knowledge about the Lord from the Lord Himself. We should not speculate that the Lord is like this or the Lord is like this. No ! The Lord arrives here and He Himself explains us about Him. Dvibhuj Murlidhar Shyamsunder Lord ! So we don’t need to imagine the Lord. Mayavadi people instruct us to imagine about brahma. Why do we need to imagine the Lord when we can see the Lord directly? You come here to take darshan of the Lord , don’t you ? Or you come here to take darshan or something else. The Lord is present here Himself so what is the need of imagination. ? This is ignorance and it is not knowledge to imagine about Brahma. Can anyone imagine Brahma ? Therefore the Lord has said jñānaṁ te ’haṁ sa-vijñānam – try to understand real Lord. It is not easy to know the Lord but the Lord mercifully tries to explain it to us then we can understand Him.

ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi
na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ
sevonmukhe hi jihvādau
svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ

Translation

“ ‘Therefore material senses cannot appreciate Kṛṣṇa’s holy name, form, qualities and pastimes. When a conditioned soul is awakened to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and renders service by using his tongue to chant the Lord’s holy name and taste the remnants of the Lord’s food, the tongue is purified, and one gradually comes to understand who Kṛṣṇa really is.’ [ CC Madhya 17.136]

We have these materialistic senses and it is difficult to understand Lord’s form and qualities and pastimes with these senses. If we utilise our tongue in chanting the Lord’s holy names then the Lord mercifully reveals Himself before us.

vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam
brahmeti paramātmeti
bhagavān iti śabdyate

Translation

Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. [ SB 1.2.11]

Bhagwan , parmatma and Brahma are all the same. But everyone has a different perception so some understand Him as Brahma , some understand Him as Parmatma and some understand as Bhagwan. The learned people who want to understand the Lord with their own knowledge then they call Him as nirakar. Whoever meditate upon the Lord with true desire they accept the Lord as parmatma. And devotees of the Lord look Him as sakshad brajendra nandan Hari , Krsna !

sūta uvāca
yaṁ brahmā varuṇendra-rudra-marutaḥ stunvanti divyaiḥ stavair
vedaiḥ sāṅga-pada-kramopaniṣadair gāyanti yaṁ sāma-gāḥ
dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yogino
yasyāntaṁ na viduḥ surāsura-gaṇā devāya tasmai namaḥ

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Unto that personality whom Brahmā, Varuṇa, Indra, Rudra and the Maruts praise by chanting transcendental hymns and reciting the Vedas with all their corollaries, pada-kramas and Upaniṣads, to whom the chanters of the Sāma Veda always sing, whom the perfected yogīs see within their minds after fixing themselves in trance and absorbing themselves within Him, and whose limit can never be found by any demigod or demon — unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead I offer my humble obeisances. [SB 12.13.1]

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti
yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Translation

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Śyāmasundara, Kṛṣṇa Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love. [Bs 5.38]

One who has true love for Krsna then he will take darshan of the Lord for 24 hrs and they do not see anything else. It is mentioned in Chaitanya Charitamrita.

sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti
sarvatra haya nija iṣṭa-deva-sphūrti

Translation

“The mahā-bhāgavata, the advanced devotee, certainly sees everything mobile and immobile, but he does not exactly see their forms. Rather, everywhere he immediately sees manifest the form of the Supreme Lord.” [CC Madhya 8.274]

True lover of the Lord remembers the Lord in each and everything. If he looks at a tree or elephant or a human , he looks to the Lord in everything. He understands that this is expansion of the Lord’s materialistic energy. Therefore we should increase our attachment towards the Lord so that we can have Lord’s darshan all the time. Some devotees come to the temple and they take darshan of the Lord and faint when they see the Lord. On the other hand, some may say that this is just a statue made from stones. This is all related to the love for the Lord. One should have proper eyes to have Bhagwat darshan. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu entered Jagganath temple , He immediately fainted after seeing Jagganath. And if some atheist goes there then he will say that it is just a statue of wood. Therefore one should have premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena. Only devotees can take Lord’s real darshan.

bhaktyā mām abhijānāti
yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ
tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā
viśate tad-anantaram

Translation

One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God. [BG 18.55]

One can not see the Lord through knowledge only. One has to understand the Lord by devotional service. Because devotees say that bhaktyā mām abhijānāti. Lord has never mentioned that one can take His darshan through knowledge only. It is possible to understand the Lord through devotional service only. Why is it possible through devotional service ? Because the Lord comes in complete control of the devotees who are offering devotional service to Him. And He mercifully  gives darshan to pure devotees.

nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya
yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ
mūḍho ’yaṁ nābhijānāti
loko mām ajam avyayam

Translation

I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible. [BG 7.25]

Everyone can not have Lord’s darshan. The Lord keeps Himself covered by yogmaya for everyone. Hiranyakashyapu was torturing Prahlad Maharaj at that time Bhagwan Narsingh dev gave darshan to Prahlad Maharaj in the pillar, do not worry I am here. Prahlad Maharaj could see the Lord in the pillar. His father asked him, “ Is your Lord present in the pillar ?” Prahlad Maharaj said “ yes father He is present in the pillar. ” Hiranyakashyapu was angry and he broke the pillar. In this way the devotees of the Lord could take darshan of the Lord everywhere. And a non devotee could not see the Lord even if the Lord was present in front of them. Therefore we should understand svigyanam , which is the devotional service. So that we can have Lord’s darshan.

As we get Lord’s darshan then sadhana and austerity everything is completed and it is finished.

ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ
nārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim
antar bahir yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ
nāntar bahir yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim

Translation

“If one is worshiping the Lord properly, what is the use of severe penances? And if one is not properly worshiping the Lord, what is the use of severe penances? If Śrī Kṛṣṇa is realized within and without everything that exists, what is the use of severe penances? And if Śrī Kṛṣṇa is not seen within and without everything, then what is the use of severe penances?” [Nārada Pañcarātra 1.2.6]

If we acquire Lord’s love then what is the need of all austerities? The purpose of all sadhana and austerity is to attain love for the Lord. And if we do not get darshan if the Lord then what is the use of this false sadhana and austerity.

dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṁsāṁ
viṣvaksena-kathāsu yaḥ
notpādayed yadi ratiṁ
śrama eva hi kevalam

Translation

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

If someone following the rituals as per dharma but he has no interest and attachment in Lord’s katha then it is mentioned in scriptures that it is of no use. It is waste of time.

sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokṣaje
ahaituky apratihatā
yayātmā suprasīdati

Translation

The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self. [SB 1.2.6]

What is first class ? yato bhaktir adhokṣaje. One should follow dharma which awakens devotional service in his mind. The king Bhakti should not be for some personal advantages. One should not do it to get some benefit from the Lord. We are internal servants of the Lord therefore we should do devotional service of the Lord. One who has this knowledge has brahma gyan. Aa one begins the devotional service then he is the liberated person.

prāṇinām upakārāya
yad eveha paratra ca
karmaṇā manasā vācā
tad eva mati-mān bhajet

Translation

“ ‘By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions which will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and the next.’ [CC Ādi 9.43]

nirodho ’syānuśayanam
ātmanaḥ saha śaktibhiḥ
muktir hitvānyathā rūpaṁ
sva-rūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ

Translation

The merging of the living entity, along with his conditional living tendency, with the mystic lying down of the Mahā-Viṣṇu is called the winding up of the cosmic manifestation. Liberation is the permanent situation of the form of the living entity after he gives up the changeable gross and subtle material bodies. [ŚB 2.10.6]

One who has utilised all his senses , wealth , body in the  service of the Lord then he is already liberated , in whatever condition he is. Liberation means muktir hitvānyathā rūpaṁ– liberation from this living entity situation. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has said

jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
kṛṣṇera ‘taṭasthā-śakti’ ‘bhedābheda-prakāśa’

Translation

It is the living entity’s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa because he is the marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa and a manifestation simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, like a molecular particle of sunshine or fire. Kṛṣṇa has three varieties of energy.

(CC madhya 108  – 109)

One who is attached to the service of the Lord all the time is already  liberated. This liberation. Liberation does not mean that we have one head and after liberation we will have two heads or four hands. It is not like this. One who gives up service or maya and begins the Lord’s service then it is called liberation. Now we are doing false duties or we are in a false form of ourselves. Some are serving the country , some are serving their family ,some are serving the community. Some are serving the dog or cat. We should give all these services and should begin our devotional service towards the Lord then it is called liberation. Therefore the Lord’s devotee does not need liberation. He is always liberated. This is vigyan , one must understand all –  Lord’s service , form , qualities and katha , associates. This is known as vigyan. Gyan means Brahma gyan aham brahmasami – I am not this body. This is proper knowledge. The knowledge of gaining love for the Lord is svigyan. Therefore the Lord Himself is gives information therefore we should learn all this and apply it in our life so that our life is fruitful.

The only purpose of human life is to get freedom from this cycle of birth and death. No one understands this. They think that we should have big houses , skyscraper buildings like they make in America, 102 floors. Nowadays it is 104 or 105 floors. When I went to New York for the first time, the Empire State Building was 102 floors. If we look below  From the top floor then the cars look like match boxes. People think that if we make a building like this and if we have two or three cars then our life is successful. This is not true. Our life is successful only when we properly understand the Lord. It is not an ordinary thing to understand the Lord. But Lord has Himself explained many times about Him in Bhagwat Geeta.

janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma

Translation

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

If we understand this principle then we will not have the next life. This is successful life. Even if we understand a little bit about the Lord , and what we should understand? Krsna is the Lord and I am His eternal servant. If one understands this then his life is successful. It is not very difficult. And our hearts are full of waste. Therefore we should do kirtan of the Lord all the time. This is instruction of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

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

Translation

Glory to the Shri Krishna sankirtana (congregational chanting of the Lord’s holy names), which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. That sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious. [ CC Antya 20.12]

kaler doṣa-nidhe rājann
asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ
kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya
mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet

Translation

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

 Only chanting of Lord’s holy name and specially chanting the mahamantra is important.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare – Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

So do kirtan all the time. You all are Vrindavan vasi so we do not need to teach you all this. One should try to understand Lords holy names repeatedly so that greed , lust , anger in our heart will vanish.

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu
nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
bhagavaty uttama-śloke
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

Translation

By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.. [ŚB 12.3.51]

It is instructed that one should learn Bhagwat everyday. This weekly seva of the Bhagwat is not correct. One should do it everyday. Even if our shortcomings are not destroyed, we should still study Bahgwat daily. And our bad habits will vanish by studying Bahgwat daily. All the time only Lord. Lord is with us  in two forms – in the form of scriptures and in the form of devotees. Guru is a devotee of Bhagwat and one should learn Bhagwat from guru. We should listen to it daily. It is not that we heard it for a week and then it is over. It is all the time.

satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido
bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ
taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani
śraddhā ratir bhaktir anukramiṣyat

Translation

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

As we chant and associate with the Lord then our heart is purified and we are free from offenses. Then we get darshan from the Lord and we can talk with the Lord. Then Lord will instruct us , what to do ?

teṣhāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te

Translation

To those whose minds are always united with Me in loving devotion, I give the divine knowledge by which they can attain Me.

One who renders loving devotional service at the lotus feet of the Lord and thinks that Lord is our prabhu and we must offer Him service, Lord is pleased with them and they certainly reach to the Lord. Lord gives them proper wisdom to do service. And gradually he reaches to the Lord.

na tad bhāsayate sūryo
na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ
yad gatvā na nivartante
tad dhāma paramaṁ mama

Translation

That supreme abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by fire or electricity. Those who reach it never return to this material world.. [ BG 15.6]

This is the instruction from Bhagwat Geeta and all other scriptures. In this way get free from this cycle of birth and death and go to Lord’s abode and join His service eternally. Thank you very much. !

03 February 2024
Properly Chanting the Holy Name
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. We are engaging in this process of chanting the holyname of the Lord. These names are powerful and non different from the Lord himself.

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

Translation:

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

Perfection andrealizations in chanting are equal to realizations of Krsna.

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ (BG 7.19)

Translation: After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

The Lord is everything and the cause behind everything. Who is this name? The name is the Lord. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur says there is nothing other than this holy name in the 14 planetary system, which in another sense means Vasudeva or Harinam is all in all. Everything else is stone and dirt.

prema-dhana vinā vyartha daridra jīvana
‘dāsa’ kari’ vetana more deha prema-dhana (CC Antya 20.37)

Translation: Without love of Godhead, My life is useless. Therefore I pray that You accept Me as Your servant and give Me the salary of ecstatic love of God.

This life is poor without the wealth of Love.I am trying to put this thought in your mind – Holy name realization.Harinam is Hari, who is also Lord Chaitanya and he himself is saying this, that without Harinam life is meaningless. If you haven’t earned or collected this Harinam deposited in your account, then you are poverty stricken, penniless and bankrupt.

golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana,
rati na janmilo kene tay
samsara-bishanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale,
juraite na koinu upay (Hari Hari bifale 2)

Translation: The treasure of divine love in Goloka Vrindavana has descended as the congregational chanting of Lord Hari’s holy names. Why did my attraction for that chanting never come about? Day and night my heart burns from the fire of the poison of worldliness, and I have not taken the means to relieve it.

Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna himself and he brings the Holy names, the wealth of Goloka Vrindavan. Both Harinam and Mahaprabhu are non different.

kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra (CC Adi 17.22)

Translation:

In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.

Lord Chaitanya has come to give this love but we haven’t taken it attentively. We are chanting but not attentively. So it is not being deposited in our account. Such life is useless and meaningless. Inattentively chanted names go to the account of Maya. In Shikshastakam there are 8 verses ofLord Chaitanya’s instructions.

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

Translation:

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

Lord Chaitanya resides at Jagannath Puri at Gambhira. Whole night he would spend with Swarup Damodar who is Lalita from Vraja lila And Ramananda Raya who is Vishakha. And Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna in Radha Rani’s mood.So Radha, Lalita and Vishakha are discussing and experiencing bliss together. This chapter is the last chapter of the Antya lila of Chaitanya Charitamrita and its last verse is known as Shikshashtaka, where they are discussing each verse one by one.

Whole night they would discuss one verse. It is his own compilation and the Lord is also doing commentary. Explaining the essence and esoteric meanings.There Lord Chaitanya says, the dharma of Kali Yuga is Harinam Sankirtan.

kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana (CC Antya 7.11)

Translation: The fundamental religious system in the Age of Kali is the chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Unless empowered by Kṛṣṇa, one cannot propagate the saṅkīrtana movement.

Further commentaries are done by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur and others. This is all done for realizing the holy name. Here God realization is replaced with Nama realization. That is what we do in the Japa session, chant 16 rounds minimum. Lord Chaitanya says to always chant.

trinad api sunicena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harihi (Shikshashtakam 3)

Translation: One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.

The Lord’s name is desire stone. These are not ordinary alphabets or empty words or names. Take this chanting more and more seriously and attentively everyday. Increase your attention everyday. We read Shikshashtakam before the japa session. Many of you are not there at that time. It would be nice if you all will join with the reading of Shikshashtakam, so the mood is set, as it is the glories of the holy name. And the chanter of this prayer is Lord himself. He is glorifying himself. Name is the Lord and the compiler is also the Lord and the commentator is also the Lord himself. By compiling Shikshashtakam, Krsna wants to attract our hearts to him. He says in the Bhagavad Gita, my devotees mind and heart is in me.

mach-chittā mad-gata-prāṇā bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaśh cha māṁ nityaṁ tuṣhyanti cha ramanti cha (BG 10.9)

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

And we have read the meaning. When we say Hare Krsna, we should think, Oh Krsna please attract my mind. Srila Gopal Guru Goswami, Jiva Goswami and others have written commentaries on the holy name where they also explain, what should be our mood when we chant. Oh Krsna, you are called the all attractive, so with your sweetness attract me (sarva akarshati iti Krsna). Everything about you is sweet. Attract my heart by that sweetness. This is what we pray when we chant. It starts with cleansing the heart, mind and thoughts. May the mirror of my mind be cleansed. (ceto darpana marjanam).

The dust on the mirror obstructs one from seeing anything. So the holy name cleanses all these impurities from many lifetimes, that is covering our mind, thoughts and mood. So we can see nicely the darshan of Krsna in that mirror of the heart. You will see yourself also. This happens by bhakti and love. When we chant, then the soul sees the Supersoul, the holy name, The lord. In the end the chanter is the soul.

We have to make the soul chant. Not from our lips. Lips is just the instrument or medium. The soul is the real chanter. This Hare Krsna is calling to the Lord. As much as he chants attentively with love that much he will realize the holy name. And the holy name will appear. Krsna says in the Bhagavad Gita, as one surrenders that much he sees me.

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ (BG 4.11)

Translation: As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā.

Other wise I cover my self with Yoga Maya.

nāhaṁ prakāśhaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛitaḥ
mūḍho ’yaṁ nābhijānāti loko mām ajam avyayam (BG 7.25)

Translation: I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.

More attention will bring more surrender and then we will get the darshan of the Lord. Then we will understand who is this Harinam. The devotee, the Lord and devotion they are all eternally existent. Devotee is the soul. The Lord is the holy name and devotion is chanting with love, attention and free of offenses.

aparadha-sunya hoye loha krishna-nama
krishna mata krishna pita krishna dhana prana (Nadiya Godrume 3)

Translation: Chant Krishna’s name without offense. Accept Krsna as your mother. Accept Krsna as your father. Accept Krishna as your wealth and your life.

When one chants attentively then there is zero offense. When we avoid these offenses then the Lord will appear. So there is a relation between attention and offenses. This is sadhana- practice. The first to fifth verses of Shikshashtakam  is for practitioners of Sadhana Bhakti. Sixth and seventh is bhava Bhakti and eighth is Prema Bhakti – Love. These are different levels of devotion.

ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam
adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparaha (Shikshashtakam 8)

Translation: I know no one but Kṛṣṇa as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly in His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord unconditionally.

Lord Chaitanya is Radha and Krsna. And this 8th verse is Radharani’s loving words in the mood of separation. It is the essence of the Shikshashtakam. This is the language of Love.

All India Padyatra leader HG Acharya prabhu was supposed to lead the japa talk but he had some service. I thought I’ll talk for a few minutes. But I continued for the whole session. We will hear from HG Acharya prabhu some other day.

This food for thought session is done daily. So please digest it, meditate on it and think about it. And all that was said today preserve them. These are important thoughts. And I hope this will help you to chant attentively.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki Jai. Sri Chaitanya Shikshashtaka ki Jai. Harinaam Prabhu ki Jai. Gaur bhakta vrinda ki Jai!

Share these thoughts with others too. Share the glories of Harinam with your loved ones. We always give everything to Maya but share Krsna with others. Inspire others to chant and help them realize the holy name.

Share Krsna with them then you are their true friend. Otherwise you become their enemy. Nothing else is worth giving. One should not take Maya or give Maya. But give and take Krsna only. You are now getting the ability to give Krsna. Krsna is yours and you can give Krsna, so share Krsna. We will pause here.

HG Swarupananda prabhu: We have got the instructions. Chant 16 rounds attentively and offenselessly. And join the session early for the reading of the Shikshashtakam and share Krsna with others. Make people fortunate. Take notes so you won’t forget. You can write your take aways. What inspired you note that down.

Hare Krsna.

Speaker:HG Rishi Kumar Prabhuji
Date: 02 February 2024
Main Theme: Disappearance Day of Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura!

Hare Krishna !!

om ajnana-timirandhasyajnananjana-salakaya
caksurunmilitamyenatasmaisri-guravenamah

All glories to śri brahma madhvagaudīyaparamparā!

All glories to ŚriGurumaharaj!

All glories to SrīlaPrabhupāda!

Today is the disappearance day of Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura. He would enter into the divine pastimes of the supreme Lord while performing his activities in the material world. So, we should take advantage of this special occasion as aćaryās become more merciful on their appearance and disappearance days. Śrīla Locana DāsaThākuraappeared in this world in 1520 A.D. 500 years got completed of his appearance last year. We could not celebrate it magnificently though. This is the 501st year going. Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura appeared when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was performing His pastimes in the material world. He was 14 years old when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to His abode. We have to understand that the Lord sends His associates before His advent. 37 associates appeared according to the Gaurābdh lunar calendar. Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura appeared on the banks of Ajay river in the Katwa town of Bardhaman district. He appeared on the first day of paushashukla paksha and was from Vaidya community like many other gaudiyavaiśnavacāryās.

Vaidya also means a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. They become vaidya of the soul as well. His father’s name was ŚrīKamalākaraDāsa and his mother’s name was Sadānandi. His upbringing and spiritual education was from this place only. He showed his affection towards Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu since his childhood. He got married at a very early age. At that time, the ritual was that the groom and bride had to stay in their parental home till they became adults. I remember My Grandmother used to tell me that she got married at the age of 8 when my grandfather was 14 years old. So, she stayed back in her parents’ house for 7-8 years and after then she came to her in-laws house. So, this was the ritual.

Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura’s mother’s parental home was at Amitpura place. His parents were Grihastha, not Grahmedhi. They used to spend their time in Krśna and GaurāngaKathā. This was their principle. When the time came for Locana DāsaThākura to get into Grihastha āshrama, their parents noticed that he was quite depressed. They went to Naraharī, dearest associate of Mahāprabhu, with their trouble.

narahari-adikori’ camara dhulaya
sanjaya-mukunda-basu-ghosh-adigaya

Translation

Narahari Sarakara and other associates of Lord Caitanya fan Him with ćamaras, and devotees headed by Sanjaya Pandita, Mukunda Datta, and Vasu Ghosha sing sweet kirtana.[Gaura-Aarti(from Gitavali)]

Naraharī instructed Locana DāsaThākura to go to his in-laws house. Locana DāsaThākura had no idea how that place would be. He asked the directions from a young girl by addressing her ‘Maa’ (mother). And finally, when he reached his in-laws house, he got to know that the girl whom he addressed as ‘Maa’ was his wife. From that day onwards, he started treating his wife as his mother and started worshiping Guru and Gaurāga with full detachment. This way our acāryās teach us how we should live our life performing devotional activities. So, on the days of disappearance of our acāryās, we should contemplate on their teachings. On the days of appearance of such acāryās, we can contemplate on their pastimes or the pastimes of the Lord in which such acāryās were also a part. As ŚrīlaPrabhupāda said, “I will live forever in my books”; similarlyŚrīla Locana DāsaThākura also resides in his teachings.

mātṛvat para-dāreṣu
para-dravyeṣuloṣṭravat
ātmavatsarva-bhūteṣu
yaḥpaśyatisapaṇḍitaḥ

Translation

“One who considers another’s wife as his mother, another’s possessions as a lump of dirt and treats all other living beings as he would himself, is considered to be learned.” ThusRāvaṇa was condemned not only by Lord Rāmacandra but even by his own wife, Mandodarī. Because she was a chaste woman, she knew the power of another chaste woman, especially such a wife as mother Sītādevī.[Cāṇakya-śloka 10]

So, the first teaching from Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura’s life is that he used to treat his wife as his mother because he once addressed her as mother. So, at least we should start accepting women as our mothers. We should not only casually address them as Mataji but we should also treat them as Mataji or Mothers. Similarly, all the Matajis should also treat the men as Prabhujis. They should not be free with each other. This is very important. This is the first teaching that, what feelings one should have towards pardayeshu.

Lord says in the Bhagavata Gītā that He is that lusty desire which is not contrary to the religious principles.

balaṁbalavatāṁcāhaṁ
kāma-rāga-vivarjitam
dharmāviruddhobhūteṣu
kāmo ’smibharatarṣabha

Translation

I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O lord of the Bhāratas [Arjuna]. [BG. 7.11]

For any such intimacy, the men and women should be married and Krsna should be the third partner. Husband, wife and Krsna in the center.

Now let’s discuss the Caitanya Mangal book by Śrīla Locana DāsaThākura. Narahari SarkāraThākura was the close and dear associate of Mahāprabhu. He gave initiation to Locana DāsaThākura. After initiation, Locana DāsaThākura started staying with his Guru (spiritual master). Narahari SarkāraThākura taught him how to do kīrtana and later gave him instruction to compile a book on the biography of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Locana DāsaThākura accepted his Guru’s instruction and started writing about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu very dedicatedly. This book is known by the name of Caitanya Mangal. This book is read in Bengal in the same way Ramcaritmānas is read about Śrī Rāma Candra in North India. This book is very popular as it was written in very simple language. There is no description of any complex principle or philosophy in Caitanya Mangal as in Caitanya Caritāmrta. It is because it was important to mention Mahāprabhu’s philosophy in Caitanya Caritāmrta. So, Caitanya Mangal was Mahāprabhu’s biography which is based on Caitanya Caritā by Murārī Gupta.

hari he doyāl mor jayarādhā-nāth
bhuvana-mańgalatumibhuvanerpati
tumiupekhilenātha, ki hoibegati

Translation

You bring about auspiciousness for the world, and You are the master of all the worlds as well. O Lord, what will become of me if You forsake me? [Verse 4 from song ‘Hari He Doyal Mor’]

It is a description about the supreme Lord. Mangal means auspicious. The Lord who spread auspiciousness to the three worlds.

Mangal bhavatamangalhari

We attend Manglāāratī in the morning. so mangal means auspicious. The symptom of Bhakti is auspiciousness. The Lord is auspicious is the reason His devotional services also give auspiciousness. The most auspicious activity is when we contemplate the pastimes of Caitanya Mahāprabhu to all mankind. This is the second teaching why we should read Caitanya Mangal. Because it is auspicious and for the welfare of mankind.

At first, one book which was written by VrindāvanaDāsaThākura also known as Caitanya Mangal which later changed to  CaitanyaBhāgavat. This was mentioned by Locana DāsaThākura in his book where he is giving obeisances to VrindāvanaDāsaThākura for his prayers in Caitanya Bhāgavata which was the attraction to mankind. Locana DāsaThākura and KrśnaDāsaKavīrājaGoswāmī had given the name of Caitanya Bhāgavata to the book of VrindāvanaDāsaThākura. And in Caitanya Mangal Manglacharan, Locana DāsaThākura is expecting his Guru’s blessings.

Now the third teaching, Locana DāsaThākura considered himself lowest of the low. He was very polite. This is a very important teaching. So, Narahari SarkāraThākura is Gaurangeragunanidhi, the ocean of the qualities of GaurāngaMahāprabhu.

goradayaraabadhiguna-nidhi
suradhuni-tire nadiyanagare
biharayenirabadhi 

Translation

Lord Gaura possesses the highest summit of compassion. He is a great treasure-house of all virtues. In the towns of Nadiya and on the Ganga’s banks He enjoys pastimes without stop. [Verse 1 from song ‘Sri Gauracandrasya’ by Srila Visvanatha CakravartiThakura]

Here, Locana DāsaThākura is surrendering himself to Narahari SarkāraThākura and accepting that there is no one else for him except Locana DāsaThākura in the three worlds. This is the teaching for both brahmaćārī and Grhastha that Guru is the closest friend of us.

Guru Sudrithasauhitam. We should never take our Guru lightly. There should not be friend feelings for Guru, but always be a servant to him. But it is impoGuru Sudrithasauhitamrtant that we should perform only those activities which are favourable for Guru. chittetekoriyaaikya.

guru-mukha-padma-vakya, chittetekoriyaaikya,
arnakoriho mane asha
sri-guru-charanerati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasade pure sarvaasha

Translation

Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of our spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else. Attachment to his lotus feet is the best way to make spiritual advancement. His mercy fulfills all desires for spiritual perfection. [Guru Vandana, text 2]

That’s how Locana DāsaThākura started writing his book Caitanya Mangal by glorifying his Guru. There is a pancālīshailiof East Bengal, present Bangladesh in which he wrote his book. He completed his book at the age of 14 in 1537 AD while sitting on a stone under a tree. One famous Bengali person, Ashutosh Dev, told the contribution of Locana DāsaThākura. Locana DāsaThākura is the first man to compile a Bengali poem in moric meter. The original copy of Caitanya Mangal is still available. ŚrīlaBhaktīSiddhāntaSaraswatīThākura said that it is there in the house of PrakashanandChakrawarti in Guskara, West Bengal. Locana DāsaThākura has written many other books like Prarthana, Durlabh Saar, Dhamali. He translated Jagannatha Vallabh Play of RāmānandaRāy and Ras Panchayat in Bengali. Hence, He was an exhausted devotee and a great writer as he was a Hindu scholar. He has written everything in a very simple language being a great scholar. This is his mercy to mankind. Simplicity is vaiśnavism. According to Bhakti Ratnakar, when the disappearance day of Narahari SarkāraThākurawas celebrated, Locana DāsaThākura welcomed all the devotees, offered them sandalwood (candan) and garland. Locana DāsaThākura glorified Mahāprabhu in Caitanya Mangal magnificently because Narahari SarkāraThākura had many qualities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then he got afraid that he might have committed an offense on the lotus feet of Nityānanda Prabhu because he had not glorified him to that extent as Mahāprabhu. Then he wrote many vaiśnava songs on the glorification of Nityānanda Prabhu.

nitaiguna-mani amarnitaiguna-mani
aniyapremervanyabhasailoavani

Translation

My Lord Nityananda, the jewel of all virtues, my Lord Nityananda, the jewel of all virtues, has brought the flood of ecstatic love of God that has drowned the entire world. (Text 1, Nitai Guna Mani by Locana DāsaThākura)

locan bole mor nitaijebanabhajilo
janiyasuniya sei atma-ghatihoilo

Translation

Locana dasa says, “Whoever has not worshiped my Nitai or taken advantage of this excellent opportunity offered by Him knowingly commits suicide.” (Text 5, Nitai Guna Mani by Locana DāsaThākura)

Those who don’t glorify Nityānanda Prabhu knowingly commit suicide and commit offense on His lotus feet.

akrodhaparamānandanityānandarāya
abhimānaśūnyanitāinagarebeḍāya

Translation

The noble Lord Nityananda is never angry, for He is the personification of supreme transcendental bliss. Devoid of any concept of false ego, Nitai wanders above the town. [Text 1, Akordha Paramananda by Locana DāsaThākura]

jaredekhe tare kohedantetrnadhori’
amarekiniyaloho bolo gaura-hari

Translation

He exclaims to whomever he sees while holding straw between his teeth, “Please purchase me by worshipping Gaurahari!” (Text 3, Akordha Paramananda by Locana DāsaThākura)

henoavatare jar ratinajanmilo
locan bole sei papieloargelo

Translation

Locana Dasa Thakura says, “Whoever has not experienced the awakening of affection for such an avatara as this, that sinful person simply comes and goes uselessly in the cycle of repeated birth and death.” (Text 5, Akordha Paramananda by Locana DāsaThākura)

Whoever has not experienced the awakening of affection for such an avatara as this, that sinful person simply comes and goes uselessly in the cycle of repeated birth and death.”

Then there is one more famous song.

parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitaigauracandra
sabaavatara-sara siromani
kevalaananda-kanda

Translation

The two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, are very merciful. They are the essence of all incarnations. The specific significance of these incarnations is that They introduced a process of chanting and dancing that is simply joyful. (Text 1, Sri Sri Gaura-Nityanander Daya by Locana DāsaThākura)

samsaremajiya, rohiliporiya,
se padenahiloasa
apanakarama, bhunjayesamana,
kahoyelocana-dasa

Translation

But Locana dasa regrets that I am entrapped by sense gratification. Since I have no attraction for the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, then Yamaraja, the superintendent of death, is punishing me by not allowing me to be attracted by this movement. (Text 4, Sri Sri Gaura-Nityanander Daya by Locana DāsaThākura)

When ŚrīlaPrabhupāda sang this song on the day of installation of Gaura Nitai deities in Venezuela, South America, he started shedding tears contemplating on the meaning of this song.

We need to understand that we are getting 3-4 important teachings from the life of Locana DāsaThākura. First is his politeness when he says that he is a fallen soul. That’s why he is dependent on his Guru. He followed every given instruction of his Guru; be it related to Grihastha āsharama or writing a book. He used to treat every other woman as his mother, even his own wife when he accidentally addressed her as Maa. This is a symptom of a vaiśnavabrāhmana that he always remains firm or fixed on what he says. We are tending to tell lies for small things. So, we must learn from his teachings. Locana DāsaThākura also used to remain vigilant of his offenses like he corrected his offense on the lotus feet of Nityānanda Prabhu by glorifying Him and compiling songs on Him which devotees still sing. The most important contribution of Locana DāsaThākura for the Iskcon devotees is that his predictions always come true. There are four main verses of Caitanya Mangal in Sutra Khand of 12th song from 562 to 565.

sangeet vaishnaverashaktirtathanijapremer bhakti

Translation

562. “I will show them My holy names, My glories and transcendental qualities, My saṅkīrtana movement, and the power of My Vaiṣṇava devotees, I will show them the glory of the ecstatic spiritual love the devotees feel for Me.
563. “In this way I will destroy the sins of Kalī-yuga. All of you please go there before Me. Go, and I will follow. Don’t hesitate.
564. “Wielding the sharp sword of nāma-saṅkīrtana(chanting the holy names), I will cut to pieces the demonic desires in their hearts.
565. “If the sinners flee far away, the great devotees who are generals in My armies will pursue them.

Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee and he is a commander leader in the army of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He initiated Krsna consciousness in the western countries and brought them to India. He revived Krsna consciousness within Indians also.

We see that.

Recently we saw HG Sanaka Sanatan prabhu and HH Sri Krsna Caitanya Swami actively preaching in the recent gathering at Ayodhya in Ram Mandir. This shows that even the devotees are engaged in spreading Krsna consciousness.

Lochana DāsaThākura is the one who wrote the foretelling of  the appearance of Srila Prabhupada.

Question and Answers

Question: How can we develop pure qualities like acāryās?

Ans: we must engage ourselves in hearing about acāryās so that we can develop attraction towards their qualities. Like Rukmini got attracted to Krsna just by hearing about His qualities. Then we should contemplate on their qualities and pastimes and then discuss them with the devotees. Also, when discussing, we should see that if we are also practicing such qualities. Also, we should be surrendered to an exalted devotee so that he can correct us and we can improve ourselves. We should have fearful respect for vaiśnavas so that we do not commit any offense. The less we commit offenses on the lotus feet of vaiśnavās, the more vaiśnavās will be merciful upon us and the more we bring their qualities in us. Whatever we hear about the Lord or the acāryās, we should also discuss that with everyone because it makes us pure. As Krsna is pure, the devotees associating with Him are also pure. Like an iron rod becomes fire when it comes in contact with fire.

rāja-vidyārāja-guhyaṁ
pavitramidamuttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁdharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁkartumavyayam

Translation

This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed. [BG 9.2]

We must be dedicated to our Acaryas by reading their history, by glorifying them, fasting on their important dates.

Question 2: As you said, we should consider other women as mothers, but what should be the emotion when considering our own wife as mother?

Ans: Krsna is possessive for His dearest devotees. He wanted to have more time with Locana DāsaThākura. But at the same time, his wife also cooperated with him in his devotional development. We are not LocānaDāsaThākure, therefore cannot consider our wife our mother. But we must consider other women as our mothers. Be the change you want to see.

Question 3: According to Bhagavata Gītāand  ŚrīmadBhāgavatam, we should surrender to Krsna and abandon all our varieties of dharma, how can we actually apply it practically?

Ans: In Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu, RūpaGoswamī explains 64 forms of devotional services to progress in spiritual life. The first 6 or 7 are related to Guru.

guru-padasrayastasmatkrsna-diksadi-siksanam
visrambhenaguroh seva sadhu-vartmanu-vartanam

 Translation

(1) Submission to the feet of the guru (spiritual master); (2) Receiving training from him in spiritual initiation and practices regarding Sri Krsna; (3) serving the spiritual master with affectionate zeal; (4) Following in the path of saints. [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.74]

The first is Guru Pādāshray. We should take shelter of a bonafide Guru first. The Lord is so merciful that He appears in the form of His representative or Guru so that we can learn to surrender by taking the shelter of Guru first.

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

Translation

“ ‘The six divisions of surrender are the acceptance of those things favorable to devotional service, the rejection of unfavorable things, the conviction that Kṛṣṇa will give protection, the acceptance of the Lord as one’s guardian or master, full self-surrender, and humility. [CC Madhya 22.100]

These are the six divisions which should be followed for the service of a bonafide spiritual master. Then it will become possible to follow these for Krsna. Like when we do deity worship, we sing verses.

sri-guroparamanandapremanandaphala-prada
vrajananda-pradananda-sevayam mam niyojaya

Translation

My dear spiritual master, who gives the fruit of the highest bliss—the bliss of love of Godhead—please engage me in the blissful service of Sri Krsna, who bestows bliss upon the land of Vraja.

We say to a spiritual master, “please engage me in your service. Let us worship Krsna through you.”

The second form of devotional service is we should receive education and initiation from a spiritual master. Third is to engage ourselves in the service of a spiritual master. Then we should follow his and his associate’s instructions.

ādaugurvāśrayaṁtato sad-dharma-pṛcchātsādhumārgāṇugamanam

Translation

In the beginning one should accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and inquire submissively about religious principles. He should then desire to follow in the footsteps of the great devotees of the Lord. [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.1.74]

Then, Differentiating between favourable and unfavourable things to progress in devotional service. And then, we must be ready to follow the instructions of a spiritual master. This is the test of fully surrendering to a spiritual master. We are lucky that we are getting association of Guru Maharaj every single day through this platform. We must be eager to get his association everyday. This is also surrendering to a spiritual master.

Question: as discussed, a man should treat his wife as his mother, how should a woman treat her husband?

Ans: your and your’s husband’s husband is Krsna only.

Krsna is everyone’s husband. So we should love Krsna and husband and wife should serve each other. When we take shelter of Krsna that is called Grihastha āsharam.

In BG 13.8, the Lord tells us 20 forms of knowledge. One of them is detachment from children, wife and home.

asaktiranabhiṣvaṅgaḥ
putra-dāra-gṛhādiṣu
nityaṁ ca sama-cittatvam
iṣṭāniṣṭopapattiṣu

Translation

detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people. [BG. 13.10]

ŚrīlaPrabhupāda says, if husband and wife are engaged in performing kīrtana, deity worship, reading and hearing Bhagavata Gīta and ŚrīmadBhāgavatam and consume only praśāda, then no one is required to leave their family. So, the objective is that husband and wife should support each other for the advancement of their Krsna conscious life and Krsna should be placed in their center. Otherwise, Husband should take care of his wife and a wife should be dedicated and loyal to her husband and Krsna in their center then Grihastha āshram will be a  success. This is the philosophy.

Hare Krishna!

Japa Talk 01-02-2024
[HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj]

Srila Jayadeva Gosvami Disappearance Day festival!

All glories to the Srila Jayadeva Gosvami Disappearance Day festival!On this day, what to say about today’s special day? Whether it is a good day or bad day? Approximately 700 or 800 years ago, SrilaJayadeva Goswami, where he was born at Kendubilva in district of Birbhum in Bengal; the place where he was born or where Lord gave him birth; in the end, he came back there only and disappeared from the same place. Therefore, in this month of Magh, at Kindulbilva, a fair is also organized.As we are talking about this, SrilaJayadeva Goswami Ji Maharaj here, similarly, on his birthplace as well at the place of his disappearance, a fairis being organized today in his remembrance. Hari bol! In Jaipur also, when it was known that SrilaJayadeva Goswami was no more, then his beloved deities, all glories toSri Radha-Madhava; as he himself worshiped Them.Those deitiesreached Sri Vrindavan Dham from Bengal via Odisha and then from  there, the King of Jaipur brought those deities of Sri RadhaMadhava to Jaipur and installed them there and built the temple. Their deityworship is continuing till date. Few years back, I have also been fortunate to have darshans of Sri Radha Madhava. On this auspicious occasion, in that temple as well, celebrations must be going on. Now, Srila Jaydadev Goswami has been renowned in the world. The Lord himself makes his devotee world renowned. The Lord himselfbecomes PR Director or an image maker for His devotees.

This is to be said that when Lord incarnates in this world then, along with Him, He also incarnates some of His eternal pure devotees on this earth. Once Srila Jaydadev Goswami Maharaj used to stay in vicinity of capital of Navadwip of the King Naresh. Jayadeva Goswami has been great poet, author, specially the king, whose name was Lakshman Sen. The word Sen meant King. When he heard Sri Dasavatarastotra by Jayadeva Gosvami then he was impressed so much that he wanted to meet the author. He came and was pleased to meet Srila Jayadeva  Goswami, however Srila Jayadeva Goswami not that much happy. It is similar to that once Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu, being a sannyasi, did not want to meet King Pratap Rudra. This is so because a King is influenced by women and wealth. They are attached to women as well as wealth. He understood that now meetings with king will continue as he will keep coming to meet him. Therefore, Srila Jayadeva  Goswami declared that he wanted to leave that place and go to Jagannath Puri in Odisha. He was thinking like this and was expressing as well. But the king Laksham Sen refused. He requested, “If not desired, then you may not live in vicinity of my kingdom. I can make separatearrangements for you but at least please stay in Navadvip Dham. The King, made special arrangements for Srila Jayadeva Goswami and his wife Padmavati’s stayin Champa Hati in Ritudwip and they started living there. In this way, he stayed in the dham and along with that he continued to pen down the poetries as well as Books.

Marriage of Srila Jayadeva  Goswami

As I told you about his wife Padmavati, Srila Jayadeva Goswami had to accept Padmavati as her wife against his actual will. Once, a brahmana of Odisha did not had any child. He observed specific austerities and performed special offerings to Lord Jagannath. With that,Lord Jagannath was pleased and blessed him with a daughter. When the girl reached her age of marriage, so the brahman went to Lord Jagannath’s deity, prayed, and asked, “To whom I should marry her?” Lord Jagannath said, “Give herto Jayadeva Goswami.”Brahmanacame there with her daughter. However,  Jayadeva  Goswami had no interest. He always wanted to observe his vow of celibacy, as he was a goswami by heart. However, the brahmana said, “No! it is the order of the Lord. The Lord took your name!” Poor Jayadeva Goswami had to accept the orders. This is how Padmavati married to Jayadeva  Maharaj. We can’t say goswami at this point. Hari! Hari! Despite being married, he followed celibacy for his whole life. Both of themJayadeva Maharaj and His wife Padmavati stayed to be vaishnava and vaishnavirespectively. The kind of love the vaishnavashave, that love remained between them.

Composition of Iconic Gita Govinda

When they were staying in Champahati, at that time he was composing the iconic Gita-Govinda  All glories to GitaGovinda! for which and other books as well, Srila Jayadeva Goswami is very popular. However, Srila Jayadeva Goswami means Gita Govinda. Srila Jayadeva Goswami appearedalmost300 years before the appearance of Sri Krishna ChaitanyaMahāprabhu. That means, until, that time Caitanya Mahāprabhu had not appeared.Still, it was possible thatChaitanya Mahāprabhugave darshan to Jayadeva Goswami. Hari bol! Besides, for the composure of all of these books, direct dictations were coming from Lord as He was guiding as what all was to be written i.e. write this, write that etc. In this particular book, Jayadeva Goswami mentioned about the conjugal love pastime especially sringar rasa of Lord.  Even in that, when Srimati Radha Rani becomes manini which comes from maanwhich is Her transcendental loving anger towards Krishna. This maanis kind of her love only. Affection is also a kind of love and Pranaya is also a description of love, Rag is also a type of love, Mahabhav is also a type of love, and so maanis also a description of love, and the names which I just took, all are a reflection of what Gopis and especially Sri Radha Rani have for Krishna and become Manini. One who is full of maanor Manmaya, and so the Manini can only be Sri Radha Rani. Srila Jayadeva  Goswami, in his GitaGovindabook mentions about the same and how Krishna pleads to persuade Sri Radha Rani, the Manini. In this from of Maan, Vipralambhai.e. the mood of separation, the intense condition of separation, and to persuade such distressedRadha Rani, Krishna does everything and what not to make her happy and to satisfy her. He even has to touch Her lotus feet and He does that too! Till that point SrilaJaydadeva Goswami reached while composing his books.

smara-garala-ghadanam, mama shirasimandanam
dehi pada-pallavam udaram
jvalati mayi daruno madana-kadananalo
haratu tad upahita-vikaram, priyecharushile

Translation:

“My beloved! Offer the fresh buds of your enchanting feet as an ornament upon my head, so the devastating effect of Cupid’s poison may be alleviated and the harsh fire of amorous desires may also be relieved.” [Ashtapadi(Geet Govinda) 19-7]

In thisverse, Lord Krishnasays, “O Radhey! from your enchanting feet, my grandeurenhances. Your lotus feet are graceful for me. Your lotus feet enhance my glory!” Further, JayadevaGoswami was supposed to write this; “O Radhey! Offer the fresh buds of your enchanting feet as an ornament upon my head!” dehi pada-pallavam udaram. Dehimeans to offer your lotus feet. Where? shirasimandanam upon my head. dehi pada-pallavamudaram, Srila Jayadeva  Goswami had to write this, however, he was bewildered thinking that whether in reality, does Krishna plead like this? Does Krishna really wants itthat Lotus feet of Sri Radha Rani are upon his head?

In that confusing state, he stopped writing and went to river Ganga to take holy bath and shortly came back home and knocked the door. Padmavati opened the door and asked “How come you have come so early from bathing?” The person standing at the door, who looked just like Jayadeva Goswami, answered, “I just remembered few things which Icould write, therefore I came early. I want to write it now. He went inside and wrote dehi pada-pallavamudaram.” Thereafter, He had prasadam as well. Padmavati served as she used to serve her husband. She didn’t have any other thoughts in mind. As He had returned from bath so there was lunch and He did some writing work also. After some time, someone knocked on the door again and this time there was the real, the original Jayadeva Goswami! As soon as he entered, the already present person, so called Jayadeva Goswami, who just looked like him, who was not real, disappeared. Padmavati recites her whole experience and told, “Just now only you had come and you wrote in your book. You told that you remembered something more to write on the way to Ganga.”Jayadeva  Goswami ran and reached the place where he was writing in his book, saw that the thoughts which he was debating upon whether he should write them or not, questioning if thosewere really the thoughts of Krishna? He saw that it was already written in beautiful calligraphic words.dehi pada-pallavamudaram O Radhe!On seeing this, he got overwhelmed and Padmavati also understood what had happened. Jayadeva Goswami told Padmavati “How fortunate you are! Lord Himself appeared and gave darshan to you! Besides, you served the Lord, food as well! Look at me, how unfortunate I am! I couldn’t see Lord but you could see. This Gita-Govinda is like Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself dictated to Jayadeva Goswami. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu would appear due confidential reason of His appearance i.e. to understand the heart of Radha and relish the mellow of transcendental love.

prema-rasa-niryāsa karite āsvādana
rāga-mārga bhakti loke karite pracāraṇa
rasika-śekhara kṛṣṇa parama-karuṇa
ei dui hetu haite icchāra udgama

Translation:

The Lord’s desire to appear was born from two reasons: the Lord wanted to taste the sweet essence of the mellows of love of God, and He wanted to propagate devotional service in the world on the platform of spontaneous attraction. Thus, He is known as supremely jubilant and as the most merciful of all.[CC Adi 4.15-16] 

In Caitanya Caritamrita, Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes that the confidential, personal, or private reason of appearance of Lord was that He wanted to taste the sweet essence of the mellows of love of God in this pastime of Lord Caitanya. Besides, He wanted to propagate that as well. The kind of devotional service that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to taste and distribute, that devotional service was jam-packedin this Gita-Govinda, written by Jayadeva Goswami.premāpumarthomahān, panchampurusharth Lord Caitanya recommended that the greatest achievement of human life is to achieve the grace of the Lord, love of God. He said, “This scripture written by Jayadeva a Goswami. It was relished by Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu along with other scriptures, like Krishna Karnamrita by Vilvamangala Thakur. Nectar of the top most scripture Srimad Bhagwatam was also relished by Sri Krishna CaitanyaMahāprabhu in Jagannath Puri.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

Translation:

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara Pandit, Srivas Thakur, and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.[Mangla Arti]

Here, also Radha Rani has appeared as Gadadhara. Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to hear the nectar of Srimad Bhagwatam from the lotus mouth of Gadadhara. Different topics which Caitanaya Mahāprabhu used to relish, among them GitaGovinda by Jayadeva Goswami was the top most. When we say that Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to relish it then it’s not required to mention separately that Jagannath Swami also used to relish this nectar. As I mentioned Jagannath Swami also, although it is not require to be mentioned separately as

vāsudeva ghoṣa bole korijoḍahāt
jeigaura sei kṛṣṇa sei jagannāth

Translation:

Vasudeva Ghosa says with folded hands, “He who is Gaura is He who is Krishna is He who is Jagannatha.[Text 5 of Bhajan Jaya Jaya Jagannatha Sacira by Vasudeva Ghosa]

Jagannath Swami is also Gauranga Mahāprabhu and Lord Krishna Himself. For Him also this scripture by Jayadeva Goswami was quite adored. In the evening or before going to yoga meditation sleep, He wanted to, He had to, He liked to hear GitaGovinda. In Jagannath temple, GitaGovinda is sung every day! Many a times when we go and come out of temple after darshan then singing of this GitaGovinda was sung and we have also heard and sung it as well. While taking rest Jagannath Swami is covered with the bedsheet, GitaGovindawritten on it. Hari bol!Once there was daughter of a gardener who used to sing GitaGovinda. When Jagannatha Swami heard it, He left His place and followed her in the garden in which she was collecting some flowers or fruits. Jagannath Swami was following her and was hearing and relishing the GitaGovinda.The daughter of the gardener was singing and doing kirtana and it was heard and relished by Jagannath Himself. It was the time of either bhoga offering or sleep, conch shell was heard or bells started ringing. Lord Jagannath immediately ran from there and on the next day, when the priest woke up Jagannath then he observed that there were some thorns in the clothes of Jagannath as it was the field of brinjal where Jagannath had went last night. Clothes of Lord were somewhat dirty and there was some dirt on the body of Jagannath as well. Later on, slowly, it was found out as to what had happen and that Lord had gone to hear GitaGovinda sung by the daughter of the gardener. From this, I don’t know whether you can have an idea as how glorified this GitaGovinda is, which was written by Jayadeva a Goswami. GitaGovinda! GitaGovinda! It feels really good even when we take its name. GitaGovinda, GitaGovinda ! which attracts Govinda Himself and which is most dear to Lord.It is of His choice.

The Gita Govinda: A Journey into Realms of Delight

At the very end of this same GitaGovinda, JayadevaGoswami glorifies it and compares it. How sweet it is! it is full of mellow of conjugal love which is incomparable to any other sweet thing or person in this material world. Listen carefully what Jayadeva Goswami, i.e. the author himself has written in the end of his scripture, its glorification also.

sädhvi mädhvika, cintä na bhavati, bhavata: sharkare karkashäsi
dräkshe drakshyanti ke, tväm amruta mruta masi, kshirairam rasaste |
mäkanda kranda, käntä-dhara dharani talam, gaccha yacchanti bhävam
yävacshringära,särasswatha miha, Jayadeva asyavishwagachamsi

Translation:

“Hey powerful wine! Do not think you are so intoxicating. Hey sugar! You are too harsh. Hey grapes! Who will look at you? Hey nectar (amåta)! You arelike death (måta). Hey milk! You taste like water. Hey ripe mango! Now go and weep. Hey lips of a beautiful woman! Now you have no place to go. As long asthe complete essence of erotic love exists in the form of the auspicious, artful composition of Sri Jayadeva, those who are expert in relishing the rasa of this poetry do not experience any sweetness in you.” [Gita Govinda a 24.13]

 sädhvi mädhvika, cintä na whatever sweet is available in this world, like honey is sweet. People keep on remembering such sweetness and continue to meditate on sweet things as they want to enjoy that again. JayadevaGoswami says, “As this nectar of Gita Govindais available then who will care for honey or any other sweet element available in this material world? Forget it! No one will think about it. No one will remember worldly sweetness. Further he writes bhavati, bhavata: sharkare karkashäsi, the sugar is harsh in in comparison to my Gita Govinda. Sugar tastes like sand as compared to Gita Govinda. It is sand only as compared to my Gita Govinda. dräkshe drakshyanti ke, dräkshe mean grapes and drakshyanti refers to seeing, coming from same word, like to see. Further, Jayadeva Goswami is saying dräkshedrakshyantike, which means, “Hey grapes! Who will look at you?” when my Gita Govinda is available and it is sight worthy.  tväm amruta mruta masi There is nectar in this world. Amruta means which does not die. Jayadeva Goswami is saying that as this GitaGovinda has appeared so nectar of this material world will die. This so callednectar of the material world will die in front of Gita-Govinda! kshirairam rasaste kshira means milk. Hey milk! You taste like water. You will no longer be milk.Youwill taste just like water. What is the value of this milk when I have made Gita Govinda available?mäkandakranda,mäkanda means ripened mango. Mango is called the king of the fruits. When we take its name, our mouth is watered just by thinking about its taste. However, Jayadeva Goswami addresses this ripe mango and says, “Hey ripe mango! Now go and weep.” Nextis käntä-dhara.Inthe eyes of materially engrossed people, so called nectar of lips of a beautiful woman is the top most. There is no nectar greater than this. All conditioned souls want to drink this nectar of lips of a beautiful woman and kiss her. Itcan’t be compared with any other nectar. käntä-dhara, adhara means the lower one.Jayadeva Goswami says that “Hey nectar of lips of a beautiful woman! You go to hell now.” dharani talam, gacchasi.  In comparison to this artful composition of Sri Jayadeva Gita Govinda, which has appeared now, mellow of beauty and conjugal love, which is very auspicious also. It is incomparable to any materially engrossed so called nectar, as it is relished by the Lord Himself and His pure devotees also relish it. Mellow in this recipe is relishable by Lord as He is the supreme enjoyer.

bhoktāraṁyajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

Translation:

A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries. [BG 5.29]

When Lord relishes the nectar, it isbhoga offering for Him and then it becomes prasad for the devotees. All glories to disappearance day festival of Jayadeva Goswami who has composed this most relished and audible Gita Govinda!