Monthly Archives: March 2024

31 March 2024
Never Forgetting Krsna
Speaker: HG Dharmaraj prabhu

Hare Krsna. In Treta Yuga, Valmiki Muni was discussing with Narada Muni about the opulence of Sri Ayodhya Dham, how nobody goes starving in Sri Ayodhya Dham. And then Narda Muni instructed Valmiki Muni, as his name signifies. After Narada Muni left, Valmiki Muni was meditating on the instructions of Narada Muni.

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam (Sri Gurvashtakam 8)

Translation: By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. 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.

Immediately he observed a couple of Croch Birds who were busy in sensual activities. And very soon an arrow hit the male bird and he died. Valmiki Muni got very angry and he cursed the hunter out of grief. Valmiki Muni was amazed, how was he contemplating and why did he curse the hunter? Contemplating like this he went to the bank of a river and there arrived Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma said, the verses you spoke out of grief are part of my plan.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi
hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ
tato ’dhanaṁ tyajanty asya
svajanā duḥkha-duḥkhitam (ŚB 10.88.8)

Translation: The Personality of Godhead said: If I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth. Then the relatives and friends of such a poverty-stricken man abandon him. In this way he suffers one distress after another.

Now through my potency you will be able to visualize entire Ramayana and compose Ramayana. So if we had any bad experiences in our past life then we should think how can this experience be used in the service of Krsna?

vipadaḥ santu tāḥ śaśvat
tatra tatra jagad-guro
bhavato darśanaṁ yat syād
apunar bhava-darśanam (ŚB 1.8.25)

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.

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

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

It’s similar to Srila Prabhupada’s conclusion derived when he was cheated and his factory collapsed. He thought this is the mercy of Krsna and he moved on. Also we can see in Dhruva Maharaj’s life. When he was insulted by his stepmother, he was shivering out of grief and anger.

But then his mother guided him to utilize these emotions to go out in forest and meditate on the Lord. Similarly Kunti Maharani is praying for suffering, but difficulties force us to remember Krsna more intensely.

That’s why pure devotees pray like this, so that they don’t forget Krsna ever. When a pure devotee suffers, he takes shelter in Krsna and his pure devotees. They utilize these opportunities to hear from the pure devotees of the Lord. As we hear Japa Talk in this Zoom conference and hear from Srila Guru Maharaj, as a result our grief, fear and attachments fly away.

ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha–davagni-nirvapanam
shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritaswadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam (Sri Siksastakam 1)

Translation: Glory to the Sri Krishna Sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This 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.

When we hear from the pure devotees of the Lord then that Sravan will help the devotees to remember Krsna. Sorrow for the past, worry for the future and illusion about the present vanish. Many devotees will visit Sri Jagannath Puri and bring their works to present to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But Swaroopa Damodar was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s assistant and secretary and he would first read those documents and then decide whether it should be presented to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or not.

Similarly Krsna appreciated when Arjuna was in tears and his heart was full of grief.

śhrī bhagavān uvācha
aśhochyān-anvaśhochas-tvaṁ prajñā-vādānśh cha bhāṣhase
gatāsūn-agatāsūnśh-cha nānuśhochanti paṇḍitāḥ (BG 2.11)

Translation: The Supreme Lord said: While you speak words of wisdom, you are mourning for that which is not worthy of grief. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead.

He said this is the right situation to hear Bhagavat Gita. Krsna says, do not think that I am falsely appreciating you because you are my friend. No, this has been told by Devala, Asita, Vyasdev, etc.

arjuna uvāca
paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma
pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān
puruṣaṁ śāśvataṁ divyam
ādi-devam ajaṁ vibhum
āhus tvām ṛṣayaḥ sarve
devarṣir nāradas tathā
asito devalo vyāsaḥ
svayaṁ caiva bravīṣi me (Bg. 10.12-13)

Translation: Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Nārada, Asita, Devala and Vyāsa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me.

And then Krsna instructed Arjuna to offer obeisances to him. Sometimes Guru Maharaj shares this story. Once there was a person,  he was told by his master to bring a glass of water. But that servant heard this instruction but he was not bringing water to him. So does this mean that, this person heard what is told?

Similarly, if we hear from the spiritual master but we are not practicing it then such hearing goes in vain.

tasmāch chhāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau
jñātvā śhāstra-vidhānoktaṁ karma kartum ihārhasi (BG 16.24)

Translation: Therefore, let the scriptures be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. Understand the scriptural injunctions and teachings, and then perform your actions in this world accordingly.

So we need to practice what we hear. Krsna himself appears as Dwapayana Vyasa and he writes these scriptures. And in the form of Sastras he gives himself only.

māyā-mugdha jīvera nāhi svataḥ kṛṣṇa-jñāna
jīvere kṛpāya kailā kṛṣṇa veda-purāṇa (CC Madhya 20.122)

Translation: The conditioned soul cannot revive his Kṛṣṇa consciousness by his own effort. But out of causeless mercy, Lord Kṛṣṇa compiled the Vedic literature and its supplements, the Purāṇas.

An intelligent person knows how to extract butter from the milk, though milk is not butter in it’s natural form. Srila Rupa Goswami knew the feelings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu very well. He wrote Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu.

sri-caitanya-mano-‘bhistam sthapitum yena bhtu-tale
svayam rupah kada mahyam dadati sva-padantikam (Sri Rupa Pranam)

Translation: When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?

It was like the butter extracted from the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, etc. Srila Vyasdev wrote Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas but he was not experiencing any satisfaction out of it. And then Narda Muni appeared and he instructed him to write Shrimad Bhagavatam reading which a person could understand the glories of Lord Vasudeva very clearly. Then Vyasdev wrote Shrimad Bhagavatam.

yathā dharmādayaś cārthā
muni-varyānukīrtitāḥ
na tathā vāsudevasya
mahimā hy anuvarṇitaḥ (SB 1.5.9)

Translation: Although, great sage, you have very broadly described the four principles beginning with religious performances, you have not described the glories of the Supreme Personality, Vāsudeva.

And then that same Shrimad Bhagavatam was recited at Naimisharanya. It’s not that the pure devotees do not face any difficulty in their lives. But the difference is that they never forget Krsna even in difficult situations. Srila Prabhupada said, I don’t need big temples for myself, I can preach under a tree.

He also did that in America when he was chanting in Tompkin Park. We have a great benefit of being a part of the ISKCON society and also the zoom temple.

Hare Krsna.

30 March 2024
The Golden Incarnation of the Lord
Speaker: HG Parthsarthi Prabhu

Hare Krsna. By Guru Maharaj’s blessings may I be able to speak something. We can’t understand Chaitanya Mahaprabhu without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu and without the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu we can’t understand Radha Krsna.

nitai-pada-kamala, koti-chandra-sushitala
je chayay jagata juray
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krishna paite nai
dridha kori dharo nitair pay (Nitai Pada Kamala 1)

Translation: The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda. Unless one takes shelter under the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha-Krishna. If one actually wants to enter into the dancing party of Radha-Krishna, he must firmly catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.

When Srila Prabhupada explains the meaning of Hare Krsna mahamantra, in the purport Srila Prabhupada speaks, that Rama in Hare Krsna Mahamantra can be Lord Rama, Balaram or Parshuram and in the same mantra we have 8 times Hare which is Radharani or Lord’s internal potency.

We have 10 incarnations of the Lord listed and in that list we don’t have Nityananda Prabhu or Chaitanya Mahaprabhu mentioned.

sri-jayedeva-kaver idam uditam udaram
srinu sukha-dam subha-dam bhava-saram
kesava dhrita-dasa-vidha-rupa jaya jagadisa hare (Sri Dasavatara-stotra 11)

Translation: O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed these ten different forms of incarnation! All glories to You! O readers, please hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, which is most excellent, an awarder of happiness, a bestower of auspiciousness, and is the best thing in this dark world.

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā
śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati
kaunteya pratijānīhi
na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati (Bg. 9.31)

Translation: He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśhāya cha duṣhkṛitām
dharma-sansthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge (BG 4.8)

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

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.

In Kaliyuga the Lord has appeared in the form of his holy name.

namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ (CC Madhya 19.53)

Translation: O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and You are widely

distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

But we see that in every millennium, every Yuga, the Lord appears. So in Kaliyuga to establish the Yuga Dharma Harinam Sankirtan, the Lord appeared as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityanand prabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna himself.

Even in the Mahaprakash lila, he showed to all the followers that he is the Supreme Lord. He is full in all six opulences.

aisvaryasya samagrasya viryasya yasasah sriyah
jnana-vairagyayos caiva sannam bhaga itingana (Visnu Purana 6.5.47)

Translation: Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is thus defined by Parasara Muni as one who is full in six opulences—who has full strength, fame, wealth, knowledge, beauty, and renunciation.

Prior to this appearance itself, he let everyone chant his holyname.

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.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is rich, and he made us rich by distributing this wealth of Hare Krsna Mahamantra to all of us.

kṛṣṇa yei bhajei sei hayata catur
māyā jei bhaje sei hayata phatur (Krsna Yei Bhajei Sei Hayata Catur 1)

Translation: Those who worship Krsna are indeed the wise. Those who worship māyā are indeed poverty-stricken.

To Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya who was the renowned scholar, Brahaspati gave knowledge to him. He taught that Jagannath Puri’s Mahaprabhu is non different from the Lord himself. He was very beautiful, he attracted everyone in Nabadwip Dham through his beauty.

When we would go out chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra, everybody would look at him and then begin to follow him attracted by his golden complexion. Thinking that in Kaliyuga everybody is running after Gold so let me appear with Golden complexion only.

gaurangera duti pada, jar dhana sampada,

se jane bhakati-rasa-sar
gaurangera madhura-lila, jar karne pravesila,
hridoya nirmala bhelo tar (Savarana-sri-gaura-mahima 1)

Translation: Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Caitanya as their only asset knows the true essence of devotional service. If anyone gives submissive aural reception to the pleasing and sweet pastimes of Lord Caitanya, then immediately his heart becomes cleansed of all material contamination.

suvarṇa-varṇo hemāṅgo
varāṅgaś candanāṅgadī
sannyāsa-kṛc chamaḥ śānto
niṣṭhā-śānti-parāyaṇaḥ (CC Adi 3.49)

Translation: In His early pastimes He appears as a householder with a golden complexion. His limbs are beautiful, and His body, smeared with the pulp of sandalwood, seems like molten gold. In His later pastimes He accepts the sannyāsa order, and He is equipoised and peaceful. He is the highest abode of peace and devotion, for He silences the impersonalist nondevotees.

He was full in renunciation. He renounced his home at the young age of 24 when he had a young, beautiful wife at his home and an old mother. In this way he was full in all six opulences.

Sometimes when people question Srila Prabhupada, who is Bhagavan?Srila Prabhupada would reply, They should be mentioned in the scriptures, full in these 6 opulence’s and he should be accepted as God by thebonafiderepresentatives.

Once all the associates were performing congregational chanting of the holyname. Then he expressed a desire to eat mango and asked Srivas Acharya for a mango. It was not the season of mango, everybody got disturbed how can we bring mango in this off season. But Then the Lord himself, saw a mango seed and in no time a tree grew out of it. And very soon there were seedless mangoes on it and everybody honored them, the most delicious mangoes that did not have skin or seed but only pulp.

It’s very difficult to understand Krsna. There are many questions being asked about his pastimes. Basically Krsna is the source of everything and then he manifests himself in Radha and Krsna.

ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ
kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam
indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ (ŚB 1.3.28)

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.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya: “Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is a combination of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.”

And then once again he combines himself as Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in order to explain his Pastimes. If you want to attain Radha Krsna then you need to go through Nitai Gauranga. Nityananda Prabhu and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went door to door to give the donation of this holyname though they were completely unqualified.

āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya
āpna vañcaka yei sei jirjane bhajāya (Apani Acari Prabhu Jivere Sikhay 1)

Translation: The Lord sets example Himself to teach the spirit souls. The one who performs nirjana bhajana simply cheats himself.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would always appear at these four places – Sachi Mata’s house, Srivas Angan, Nityananda Prabhu’s Kirtan and Raghav Pandita’s house. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has taught how to worship Radha Krsna.

We have heard the reasons of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s appearance from different Acharya’s – He wanted to witness the mood of Srimati Radharani, He wanted to taste the sweetness of the Love of Godhead and He wanted to prove the greatness of Krsna consciousness.

nava gaura-varaḿ nava-puṣpa-śaraḿ
nava-bhāva-dharaḿ nava-lāsya-param
nava-hāsya-karaḿ nava-hema-varaḿ
praṇamāmi śacī-suta-gaura-varam (Sacisutastakam 1)

Translation: His complexion is the hue of fresh cream tinged with kunkum. He is the ever-fresh Cupid who shoots arrows of newly blossoming flowers. He bears newer and newer moods of emotional ecstasies. He is fond of performing novel dances. He makes ever-new jokes that cause much laughter. His brilliant luster is like freshly cast gold. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Saci.

He appeared to taste and let others taste the nectar of Krsna consciousness. Only an intelligent person can chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra, but the fools can’t. Krsna himself has appeared but he has appeared in Golden complexion and he will preach the glories of Krsna to the people of Kaliyuga.

He is not mentioned in the list of ten main incarnations of the Lord because he has appeared in the hidden form. He is known as Channa Avatar.

Srimad Bhagavatam mentions,

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ (ŚB 11.5.32)

Translation: In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

But in many different scriptures we can read about him and his characteristics.

kalina dahyamanam
uddhararaya tanu-bhrtam
janma prathama sandhyayam
bhavisyati dvijalaye (Kurma puran)

Translation: The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma prathama sandhyayam]. He will appear in the home of a Brahmana [bhavisyati dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhrtam] burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.

In Garuda Purana we can read,

kalina dakyamananam
paritranaya tanu-bhrtam
janma prathama sandhyayam
karisyami dvijatisu (Garud Puran)

Translation: In the first part [prathama sandhya] of the age of Kali, I will come among the brahmanas [karisyami dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls, [paritranaya tanu-bhrtam] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalina dahyamananam].

In order to reclaim the fallen souls of Kaliyuga, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared as the son of Jaganath Misra and Mother Sachi.

There is a pastime, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu threw his food on the ground.Mother Sachi said, he should not do this, but then Nimai replied, Everything ultimately is made of dust then what is the difference between this food and the dust. In this way Krsna or Nimai would teach different lessons to his parents. Why do we chant every morning because this is what Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had instructed us.

In Markandeya Purana we can read,

golokam ca parityajya
lokanam trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah (Markandeya-Purana)

Translation: In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gauranga.

The Lord Left his abode to shower his mercy on us. The Padma Purana says that, in the first phase of Kali the Lord appeared in a Fair complexion to mother Sachi devi on the banks of Ganges river.

kaleh prathama-sandhyayam
gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye
bhavisyami sachi-sutah (Padma Puran)

Translation: I shall appear on this earth [mahi-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga [kaleh prathama sandhyayam] in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhagirathi [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurangah], and I shall take birth as the son of Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah].

To shower his mercy upon all of us. There are 700 verses spoken by Krsna to explain everything. But that is very difficult for the people of Kaliyuga to understand. Thus Chaitanya Mahaprabhu summarised everything for us in just 8 verses in Shikshastakam.

Once in Jagannath Puri, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu dived into the ocean. A fisherman caught him thinking him to be a huge Golden Fish.

vande śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nityānandau sahoditau
gauḍodaye puṣpavantau
citrau śan-dau tamo-nudau (CC Ādi 1.2)

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauḍa to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.

Later on he got to know that it was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he made that fishermen and his familyto chant his holyname. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears, he comes with an entire team not alone.

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ
bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
namāmi bhakta-śaktikam (CC Ādi 1.14)

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.

In Kaliyuga association has potency, it’s not possible to chant alone. As a child I used to think , Lord Vitthal is the Lord of old people or villagers. But after coming to Iskcon, Guru Maharaj revealed that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna and that Lord is also Jagannath.

vāsudeva ghoṣa bole kori joḍa hāt
jei gaura sei kṛṣṇa sei jagannāth (Jaya Jaya Jagannatha Sacira 5)

Translation: Vasudeva Ghosa says with folded hands, “He who is Gaura is He who is Krishna is He who is Jagannatha.

It’s not that we can accept anyone as God. There are 32 symptoms which should be present, only then we can understand that person to be the Lord.

ajanu-lambita-bhujau kanakavadhatau
sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau
visvambharau dvija-varau yuga-dharma palau
vande jagat-priyakaro karunavatarau(CB 1.1.1)

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.

We can achieve perfection only when we could attend this zoom conference everyday and read Bhagavad Gita everyday.

Hare Krsna.

29 March 2024
Speaker: Śrīla Prabhupāda
Theme: Devotional service is not sentimental

Hare Krishna!!

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. (BG 7.2)

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)

 Theme: Nine stages of Bhakti Yoga

 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)

 Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī explains, ādau śraddhā which means one should have complete faith in Krsna. As the Lord says,

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 have to have complete faith that we can achieve perfection just by surrendering unto the lotus feet of the Lord. The Lord will protect us. That is firm faith. Avaśya raksibe Krsna viśvāsa pālana (Śaranāgati). This strong faith, that in any dangerous condition, Krsna will save me. This is surrender.

In Caitanya Caritāmrta, Krsna dāsa Kavīrāja Goswāmī explains, faith means surrender.

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)

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 at anytime. The Lord is situated in everyone’s heart. The Lord wants us to be fortunate. That’s why He stays with us as our wellwisher. So just surrender to Krsna. Nothing more is required. That is firm faith.

After having firm faith, sādhu-sanga is required. Sādhu or a monk who is always engaged in practicing devotional services unto the Lord.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
mayy āveśya mano ye māṁ
nitya-yuktā upāsate
śraddhayā parayopetās
te me yukta-tamā matāḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect. (BG 12.2)

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)

Theme: Symptom of a Guru

This is the symptom of a pure soul or a saint. One who has complete faith that in any condition, if he surrenders unto the Lord, he will be saved from the clutches of birth, death, old age and disease and he will achieve perfection.

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)

indriyārtheṣu vairāgyam
anahaṅkāra eva ca
janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-
duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam

Translation

renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease- all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance. (BG 13.9)

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)

The more we engage ourselves in sādhu-sanga, the more our faith will increase. Which will lead us to perfection. Then bajana-kriyā, sādhu will teach us how to perform devotional services.

parīkṣya lokān karmacitān brāhmaṇo
nirvedamāyānnāstyakṛtaḥ kṛtena .
tadvijñānārthaṃ sa gurumevābhigacchet
samitpāṇiḥ śrotriyaṃ brahmaniṣṭham

Translation

Let a brahmin, after having examined all these worlds that are gained by works, acquire freedom from desires: nothing that is eternal can be produced by what is not eternal. In order that he may understand that Eternal, let him, fuel in hand, approach a guru who is well versed in the Vedas and always devoted to Brahman. (Mundaka Upanishad 1.2.12)

Sādhu means a guru or spiritual master. Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Thākura says, Sādhu-śāstra-guru-vākya tinete kariya aikya. Sādhu is the one who has compiled śāstras, śāstras are the composition of sādhus and guru is the one who is a sādhu and fully acquainted of śāstrās. So after bhajana-kriyā, anartha-nivritti comes; one is freed from all unwanted habits or offenses. Like in America, we tell everyone to quit illicit sex as this is an obstacle to our progress in the spiritual path. The Lord says,

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)

We should free ourselves from sinful actions to perform devotional services and Bhajana-kriya help us to get free from sinful actions. Intoxication, meat eating, gambling and illicit sex are the sinful activities. Then he will attain ruchī, taste in the name of the Lord and His services. Then we will attain niśthā or steadiness.

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt satām

Translation

Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the 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. (ŚB 1.2.17)

The beginning of a devotional life starts from śravana and kīrtana.

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)

The more our heart gets purified by hearing and chanting the holy name, the more we progress in spiritual life. Krsna consciousness is already there in everyone’s heart in a dormant form, we just need to revive it with the help of hearing and chanting the holy name in the association of pure devotees.

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 Shikshashtakam)

With hearing and chanting in association of the devotees, our hearts get cleansed. The more our hearts get cleansed, the more we attain niśthā for holyname. Krsna is situated in everyone’s heart but He is specially favourable to His devotees. As the Lord is seated in everyone’s heart, He cleanses the desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages.

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. (ŚB 1.2.19)

2 breads can satisfy one’s hunger but one needs 10 breads due to greed. So one keeps working hard. Therefore, to get rid of lust and greed, we must hear the pastimes of Krsna. Then comes āsakti – attachment with Krsna, then affection and then finally love of God. Lord Himself is giving this knowledge.

There is jnāna and vijnāna. Jnāna is theoretical and vijnāna is bhakti or performing devotional services. We should not only get theoretical knowledge but also put that knowledge in use.

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. (ŚB 10.2.32)

Impersonalists do not believe in the form of the Lord. That is an offense. Krsna is playing His flute with His two hands. He has a beautiful form. So this is a science. We don’t need to speculate about the form of the Lord. We can know about the Lord by the mercy of the Lord only.

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)

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. (ŚB 1.2.11)

Those who are jnānī, they try to understand God with their so-called knowledge. They are known as nirvīsheh nirākāra.

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. (ŚB 12.13.1)

Those who contemplate on the Lord, they see Lord as Paramātmā. And devotees see Krsna as the son of Nanda Maharaj.

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. (Śrī brahma-samhitā 5.38)

Those who attained love of godhead, they only see the Lord and nothing else.

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)

eka-desa-sthitasyagner
jotsna vistarina vathã
parasya brähmanah saktih
sarvedam akhilam jagat

Translation

Everything that is manifested within this cosmic world is but the energy of the supreme Lord. As fire emanating from one place diffuses it’s illumination and heat all around, so the Lord, although situated in one place in the spiritual world, manifests His different energies everywhere. Indeed, the whole cosmic creation is composed of different   manifestations of His energy”. (Visnu Purana 1.22.52)

One has to have the eyes and love of Godhead to see Krsna. Then only he can see Krsna in a deity.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu fell unconscious by looking at the deity of lord Jagannātha. So only devotees can see Krsna.

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)

Devotional services can bind the Lord and hence, the Lord has to give darshan to His 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)

When Prahlāda Mahāraj was getting tortured, Narsimha Deva gave him darshan in the pillar. This way, devotees can see the Lord anywhere and everywhere. While non-devotees can’t see Him even if the Lord is standing in front of him. That’s why we have to understand the science of Krsna consciousness. When we attain love of Godhead, all the austerities get over.

As stated in the Pañcarātra:

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?

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. (ŚB 1.2.8)

If one has not attained love of Godhead, then what is the use of performing austerity.

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 the loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self. (ŚB 1.2.6)

We always should remember that we are the servants of the Lord. The one who serves the Lord and performs devotional services, he attains liberation.

īhā yasya harer dāsye
karmaṇā manasā girā
nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu
jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate

Translation

“He who has the desire to serve the Lord in this world with actions, mind and words is called a liberated jīva in all circumstances.” (Bhakti-rasāmrta-sindhu 1.2.187)

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)

jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
kṛṣṇera ‘taṭasthā-śakti’ ‘bhedābheda-prakāśa’
sūryāṁśa-kiraṇa, yaiche agni-jvālā-caya
svābhāvika kṛṣṇera tina-prakāra ‘śakti’ haya

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 20.108-109)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, the constitutional position of jīva or living entity is that he is the eternal servant of Lord Krsna. Those who are engaged in the service of the Lord every time, they are liberated. When they are only serving the Lord and no one else. This is called liberation. So at present one is serving his family, friends, dog, cat. But one has to be fixed in serving Krsna. And then one’s life will be successful. This is the aim of human life. Making big buildings is not the aim of life; for eg, in America there are 102 storeyed buildings, Empire buildings. No, that’s not the success of life.

janma karma ca me divyam
evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ
tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma
naiti mām eti so ’rjuna

Translation

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

One must understand that Krsna is the master and we are His servants. This is the success of Life. So one must keep chanting the holy names of Krsna.

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

All of you are vrindavan vasis. So there is not much need to teach you this.

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)

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 1.2.18)

Theme: Types of Bhāgavata

There are two Bhāgavatas. Book Bhāgavata and Person Bhāgavata. Guru is a person Bhāgavata. So hear from him. All the time, not only once. Then one’s heart is purified. Then one can see Krsna.

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

Translation

To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. (BG 10.10)

We should serve the Lord with all our heart knowing He is our Guru.

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)

So this is the message of Bhagavad Gītā to reach to the abode of the Lord, leaving behind the clutches of Birth and Death, and engage ourselves in the devotional services unto the lotus feet of the Lord.

Hare Krishna!

Japa Talk Transcription

Date – 28^th March
Speaker – Keshav Prabhu
Topic- On the occasion of Maha Abhishek of Pancha tatva in Mayapur

HG Dharmaraj prabhu speaks – All obeisance unto Gurumaharaj,Today amongst us we have Keshav Prabhu wo ih known all over,he preaches extensively and is incharge of the Bhagvad Katha held every year in Pune.

HG Keshav Prabhu speaks – All Glories to Gurumaharaj and Shrila Parbhupad.I am fortunate to be able to speak here,we are receiving mercy of Gurumaharaj since so many years now.So first we will talk about a few places like Mayapur, Kolhapur and Dehu where Gurumaharaj visited ,we will talk about the Gurumaharaj’s Kirtan.

Prabhuji recites mangalacharan prayers

Description of Gurumaharaj’s yatraabdabhishek

We reached Mayapur dham,first we saw the opening of the Narasimha temple,just like we saw the inauguration of the Ayodhya temple similarly we saw the opening of the Narasimha temple.This is an international temple so it was a special opening.Everything was of Gold.Specially the best part was Gurumaharaj’s kirtan and large amounts of donation were collected.Theabhishek was very mesmerizing when Gurumaharaj specially did the abhishek for Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhuwithchandan,last year Gurumaharaj had done the abhishek of only Advait Acharya.Gurumaharaj’skirtan during abhishek was very nice.Gurumaharaj sang the vaishnav song “Sri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Doya Koro More”.Just like Shrila Prabhupad preached about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the world similarly Gurumaharaj is also preaching about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the entire world.So after this Gurumaharaj took the charanamrita,kirtan mela was going on and everybody took Prasad.

From here Gurumaharaj went to Jagannath Puri in Pachora for program and then came to Pandharpur for program.From here Gurumharaj travelled to Jalgaon where he covered 8 villages in 8 hours he did preaching.

Then Maharaj reached Kolhapur where he inaugurated the Radha Krishna temple and then next morning he reached at 6 in the morning for the pranpratishtha of the deities.

Shayan Adivas

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had also come to Kolhapur and visited the Mahalaxmi temple for darshan.Mahalaxmi appears from the internal potency of Krishna which is Radharani.There was shayanadivas before the pranpatishtha.Every morning we see the Lord in standing position but shayanadivas is the only one day where the Lord is resting and the place is decorated with flowers and devotees delight to see this.Everyday we only make the smaller deities sleep but in shayanadivas the bigger deities are made to sleep.

In the morning we woke the Lord up by 6 and the procedure then started,even Bhakti Rasamrita Swami Maharaj was present.

All these are procedures but when the sadhus call for the Lord He has to actually come so similarly when Gurumaharaj called for the Lord to come He has to come,just like Advait Acharya called for Mahaprabhu by Ganga Water and Tulsi leaves.

The yagna before abhishek

The Sutanand Prabhu and his associates,Jagannath Kripa Prabhu,Radha Bhav prabhu from nigdi and after the recitation of all mantras the Lord appears and a thread is also offered.BhaktiRasamrita Swami Maharaj was reciting the mantra for Srimati Radharani and Gurumaharaj was reciting for Krishna.From Yagna Narayan itself the Lord appears in different forms as the mantra recitation goes on.After this Gurumaharaj did the “vaishnavhom” for all the devotees.

After this the program was ended with the last sacrifices done in the fire which was done by GuruMaharaj with the recitation of vedic mantras.

After this the big deity was taken in the pandal and different bhoga offerings were done,there was beautiful decoration done,all the devotees got the chance for abhishek and different sevas and there was Prasad for everyone then everybody also took darshan of Kolhapur Mahalaxmi.

Kirtan of Gurumaharaj

Gurumaharaj sang the special vaishnav song “Jay Radha Madhav”Then Radha Gopinath prabhu asked Gurumaharaj that our deities should have a special name,soGurumaharaj gave the name “SRI SRI RADHA MADHAV KI JAY” .Radhanath maharaj said that this Radha madhav is the Lord of Lakshmi but not of vaikunth but He is the same Lord of goloka itself.

There is no difference in Guru tatva,just like Gurumaharaj sand Radha Madhav ,HH Radhanath swami also sang Radha Madhav at the same time with full devotion.

Now wherever Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has gone in Kolhapur,those foot imprints(19 footprints) are placed in Kolhapur.

There were worshipped by Gurumaharaj and then Gurumaharaj came to perform the first arati of Sri Sri Radha Madhav.

Gurumaharaj says that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to Kolhapur and took the names of Krishna so similarly Mahaprabhu gave his form also” Sri Krishna Chaitanya Radha Krishna nahi Anya”.

There deities are just like Mayapur only difference is that they are small.

Then there was the first aarti in the evening and after that Gurumaharaj ordered that the evening lecture be given by Bhakti Rasamrita Swami Maharaj and then we went for the darshan of Mahalakshmi.Just like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took the darshan of Mahalakshmi similarly Maharajji took the darshan of Mahalakshmi in the evening.

Brahmaji sings in Brahma samhita-

cintamaṇi-prakara-sadmasukalpa-vṛkṣa
lakṣavrtesusurabhirabhipalayantam
laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam
govindamadi-purusam tam ahambhajami

 I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor who is tending the cows, yielding all desire, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakshmi or gopis.[Brahma Samhita 5.29]

 Icchalkaranji temple program and construction site

 Then we rested at Krishna rasayan prabhu’s house then we did our japa,then Maharaj headed towards Icchalkaranji which was followed by a nice Japa Talk.In the japa talk Gurumaharaj explained how before the birth of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu his Guru’s had taken birth,Mahaprabhu’s childhood pastimes.We have got a land of 3 acres in Icchalkaranji and there are 84 pillars here to get rid of 84 births.84 is a very important number,there are 84 yonis,it is also there in Nandagaon and kamyavan and in 84 seconds also the Ram Mandir was opened.

Krishna Rasayan prabhu(donated 2 cr) and Shahastranaam prabhu(donated 40 lakhs) have helped a  lot financially.Gurumaharajsais that he has no tension for the collection of this temple.ThenGurumaharaj took the report of everybody’s service and blessed everyone.

Then Gurumaharaj also checked the construction site and allotted service to everyone till Radhashtami half service of the temple will be ready.

Then we left from Icchalkaranji.Gurumharaj always keeps chanting,reads the chaitnyacharitamrita and He keeps practicing the Sanskrit classes which is very beloved to Him with Param sundarPrabhu.Gurumaharaj studies each shloka very deeply.He studies one word and tries to understand the different meaning of each word  (prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya)

Gurumaharaj’s Pune visit

Then Gurumaharaj reached Pune and then went to DehuIskcon.We have purchased 15 acres land in Dehu for Iskcon and in nigdi the 13^thBrahmotsva was celebratedwhos Pran Patishtha was done by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj and Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj.

They have very a nice altar which decoration of an umbrella.The Lord was bathed with waters of different colours for Holi.In the remeberance of Tukaram Maharaj Gurumaharaj sand different abhanga’s like Gokulichasukha and sundartedyana.

In the nigdi temple Maharaj was introduced with nice information.They said that Maharashtra is the land of saints we have heard so many but not seen them,but today we can see one saint in front of us.Gurumaharaj is the only one who speaks with us in Marathi we feel more attached to him.

Kirtan of Gurumaharaj is being played.

Gurumaharaj was saying that just like Tukaram Maharaj went back to godhead we can also just take the names of the Lord and go back to godhead(naam se dhamtak).One devotee once came to Tukaram Maharaj that we should not take the names of the Lord which our daily morning chores but from every art of Tukaram Maharaj we can hear the names of the Lord,the road from which Tukaram Maharaj used to walk even that land would say the names of Vithala.He was so great.

Lord Vitthal gave darshan to Tukaram Maharaj.He was not able to walk once in the dindi once which he would walk every year so he wrote a letter to Shri Vithala that he would not be able to come.Gurumaharaj is completing the left over targets of Tukaram Maharaj by preaching the names of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In this way Gurumaharaj has spread the names of Lord Vithala in many places like Russia and Mauritius and has spread the padayatra in 108 places with the same Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Childhood pastime of Mahaprabhu

Once Mahaprabhu came out of the house when He was small and He saw a very large snake there but Mahaprabhu dint get scared but instead played with the snake because He is the actual one who sleeps on the bad of snakes.Then is some time the snake went away from there.

In Chaitanya Bhagvat,Vrindavan Das thakur says that whoever will remember this leela will get liberated.Another katha is that once a Brahman had come to Jagannath Mishra’s house they asked him to take foor but the Brahman had a rule that he would himself cook and offer food to the Lord so as soon as he would offer the food Mahaprabhu would come and eat it but he was mistakened and thought that the the food had become impure.That Brahman thought that Brahmaji wants me to stay hungry today.He tried to offer food again but again Mahaprabhu started eating again.Then the Brahman said I will not make food at all now.Then Jagannath Mishra said that we will close Nimai in a room at night.That night when the Brahman offered food again Mahaprabhu gave him darshan.So in this way Mahaprabhu would give him darshan everyday and take Prasad.

In Chaitanya Bhagvat ,Mahaprabhu’schildhood pastimes are there and in Chaitanya Charitamrita the young days pastimes are present.

Once the ladies would go for the worship of Shivji but Mahaprabhu said that if you worship Shivji then you will get an old husband wo already has kids but if you worship Me then you will get a young husband like Me.

We shall all pray for HG Padmamali Prabhu as his health is not good.He is with us since many years and we are preaching together from 1996 in many places.We pray also for HG Dharmaraj prabhu so that his youth preaching increases.So we pray for all devotees here.

HG Dharmaraj prabhu thanks Keshav Prabhu for his association,he is very humble and we shall pray for him,he is like a role model for me.

Hare Krishna.Thankyou!!

Topic: Appearance of Gauranga Mahaprabhu
Date:  26^th March 2024
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj says:

Get ready for the Japa Talk.

Jaya Jaya Sri Krsna Caitanya Nityananda- by Narottama Dasa Thakur

jaya jaya śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya nityānanda;
jayādvaita-candra jaya gaura bhakta vrṇda (Text 1)

Translation

O Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, all glories to You. O Prabhu Nityananda, all glories to You. O Lord Advaitacandra, all glories to You. O devotees of Lord Gauranga, all glories to you all.

jayasri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaitagadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

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

Hari Hari.

So yesterday we celebrated Gaur Purnima. I celebrated but did you all celebrated? Gaur Purnima Mahotsava ki Jai!

But 538 years ago, Gaur Purnima or Nimai’s appearance was not celebrated on this day. It was celebrated the next day which is today. In the evening Nimai appeared under a neem tree that’s why his name was also Nimai. Because he appeared late in night, so Jagannath Mishra and Saci Mata celebrated the festival today. So we also celebrate this festival as Jagannath Mishra festival who was his father. Jagannath Mishra festival ki Jai! This celebration is similar to Krsna’s appearance who appeared in late night but Nimai appeared in the evening. Next day when the sun rose, then everyone celebrated his appearance. So Nand Maharaj also celebrated the first Janamastami on Navnami and not on Ashtami. Nand kegharanandbhayo. Anand appeared in that home, that day and everyone was very happy with that. Anand is one if the names of Krsna and he is the source of happiness for everyone. Nand Maharaj is only Jagannath Mishra and Yashoda becomes Saci mata. So the Anand which was celebrated in Gokul, the same was celebrated in Jaganath Mishra’s and Savi mata’shouse.

Hari Haribifale by Narottama Das Thakur

Vrajendra-nandanajei, saci-sutahoilo sei,
balaramahoilonitai
dina-hinajatachilo, hari-name uddharilo,
tara sakshijagaimadhai(Text 3)

Translation

Lord Krishna, who is the son of the King of Vraja, became the son of Saci (Lord Caitanya),andBalarama
became Nitai. The holy name delivered all those souls who were lowly and wretched. The two sinners Jagaiand Madhai are evidence of this.

Nand Maharaj’s son has only appeared as Nimai or Jagannath Mishra nandan. Are you noting this down? In Gokul the celebrations were performed, so this Gokul is only Navadwip. Soit continues here also, Vrindavan Krsna becomesNavadwip’sChaitanya Mahaprabhu. Navadwip is eternal dham of the Lord. So Jagannath Misra festival is celebrated today, the next day of Gaur Purnima on Pratipada. Gaur premanande HariHari bol!

Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna himself. Hari Hari.This truth is revealed in Chaitanya Charitamrita,Chaitanya Bhagavata,Chaitanya Mangal and Srila Prabhupada, translatedChaitanya Charitamrita in English. So, he was instructed to go in western world to preach the glories of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the English.He was instructed to preach Gaurvani or the glories of the holyname!So Srila Prabhupada translatedChaitanya Charitamrita into English and then into many other languages and it is still going on. This truth is now known to everyone. Who knew Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? People know Rama and Krishna but they do not know who is ChaitnayaMahaprabhu. So Srila Prabhupada made this his mission andintroduced  ChaitanyaMahaprabhu and his lilas to everyone. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’sDharma which is HarinaamSankirtan was also preached everywhere by him.

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

Sri Krsna ChaitnayaMahaprabhu’s prediction and which was his mission also was:

Chaitanya-bhāgavata, Antya 4.126

pṛthivīteācheyatanagarādigrāma
sarvatrapracārahaibe mora nāma

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

And he wanted to prove his prediction and he did so as well. I just want to say that who knew Mayapur or Navadwip where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared. It was Srila Prabhupada was the one who popularized this dham and now it was become world famous. Now only few countries are left those who don’t know and accept it but slowly they do understand the importance of dhamand they also travel to Mayapur. Devotees from seventy countries came to Mayapur this year. And yesterday it is estimated that more people have must have visited. This era is the era of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.So all these people are celebrating Jagannath Mishra’s festival. We all want Ram Raja and this is ChaitnayaMahaprabhu’sraj. In this all raj’s come- Krsna, Ram etc. Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s appearance was yesterday and today we are celebrating this festival today.ChaitnayaMahaprabhuis setting the stage for his appearance and the things which he needed for that to happen. If Jagannath Mishra and Saci mata were not there, then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu must have also not appeared. So ChaitnayaMahaprabhu gives birth to Guru vargafirst, like Madhavendra Puri, Nilambar Cakravarti appears then, his daughter Saci mataappears who marries Jagannath Mishra. So these personalities appears fifty years or so before the appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Although parents are one only, but he experience the Vatsalya bhava with other personalities as well.So, he experiencesmother and father’s love with other devotees as well. Namacharya Haridas Thakur was also of Jagannath Mishra’s age. Advaita Acharya is also Guru-vrinda and he is a prime member of Pancha Tattva, who is of the same age as Jagannath Mishra and Nityanand Prabhu also appeared and he is Balarama himself. Srivas Thakur who is also a member of Panchatattva was of the age of Jagannatha Mishra and he had Vatsalya bhava towards him. Gadadhar pandit was Radharani hemself in the form of a man and he was of the same age as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Hari Hari! And many devotees appeared 50 years, 25 years etc. and 12 years before Nityanand Prabhu appeared. So they all have set the stage and they comprise of the Gaura Mandal. So, some associates appeared in Bengal as well. Srivas Thakur, Advaita Acharya, Nilambar Chakravarti Thakur appeared in Bangladesh. So as the day of appearance of ChaitanyaMahaprabhucame nearer, so all these Goloka associates appeared in their respective places. So not only Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared but also his dham has also appeared and his unlimited associates have also appeared.

ŚB 11.5.32

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁtviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥsaṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

Translation

In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

So all these associates of Krsna have also appeared, Radharani, gopis and manjirishave also appeared. Rupa majiri appeared.

Jaya Jaya Jagannath by Vasudeva Ghosa

keho bole purabeterāvaṇabadhilā
golokervaibhavalilāprakāśakorilā (Text 3)

Translation

It is said that in olden times, as Lord Ramacandra, He killed the demon Ravana. Then later, as Lord Krsna, He revealed the splendrously opulent pastimes of Goloka.

So the Golok Vaibhav lilaappeared here in Navadwip and they all were waiting for his appearance. And everyone reaches there and celebrate the Gaura Purnima festival.The demigods also appeared which is the protocol. So Krsna’s lila is repeated again and he is Krsna himself. And in Mathura also demigods had appeared and they had parked their vehicles in Mathura Mandal. They never touch the Earth. So that was there that whenever Lord appears we will see him first.

Bg. 11.52

śrī-bhagavānuvāca
su-durdarśamidaṁrūpaṁ
dṛṣṭavānasi yan mama
devāapyasyarūpasya
nityaṁdarśana-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, this form of Mine you are now seeing is very difficult to behold. Even the demigods are ever seeking the opportunity to see this form, which is so dear.

This is the form of Lord. These demigods are also desperate to have his darshans.

This shloka Krsna spoke himself and Krsna said that the darshan which you are having is very rare for which even demigods wait. In Nawadwip, they took the darshans of Nimaion Gaura Purnima. There is a lot of similarities between Nimai and Krsna. So just like in Mathura and Vrindavan, Vasudev and Devaki’s six sons were killed so here eight daughters of Saci matacould not survive and died before Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared. The number is only different. In Mathura the seventh son of Devaki becomes Balrama by Garbhaanatara which means that he travels from Devaki’s womb to Rohini’s womb. The ninthson here is Vishwaroop. He is the expansion of Balaram. He is the elder brother of Nimai and he is the expansion of Balrama.He appeared as Vishwarop he appeared in Anshic form. So, the tenth^thchild of Jagannath Mishra and Saci Mata was Nimai and Vasudev’s and Deviki’s eighth son was Krsna. So they feared that of this child could also not survive. They wanted to save him at any cost. Advaita acharya’s wife, Sita Thakuranigave him the name of Nimai as he was born under the neem tree which is very medicinal and is very beneficial. So they thought that this name will be also protect him as well. It kills demonic energies.

So today a huge festival is celebrated in Yogapitha and he was given the name Nimai. I will narrate one story which signifies that he is only Krsna, so one day Nimai was asked to bring a book who was playing at that time in the home by Jagannath Mishra and similarly Nand Maharaj asked Krsna to bring his slippers one day and it was not an easy task for him as it was quite heavy for him. So, since he was very little, it was  heavyfor him and he could not take it in his hand or shoulder, so he put it on his head and see the Vatsalya and feeling of Krsna. These are Bal Sulabpastimes of Lord. So similarly, Jagannath Mishra asked Nimai to bring the pothi(book) and he then he  brings the pothi. When Nimai brought this book, his anklebells were ringing and he gave it to his father and Jagannath Mishra saw his footprints. But he noticed that  hewas not wearing anklebells, so where was that noise coming from? So when he went to his home, then he saw the footprints everywhere. So he had heard the anklebells and all the house had the footprints of Nimai. He tried to reach a conclusion and he thought that he is our son in Vatsalya rasa, he cannot be god. He is our little son. So he saw that the deity of the house may be he only walked in the house. So, just as Yasoda saw the whole universe in the mouth of Krsna but still she thought that he is my son only ,so similarly in Nimai lila they feel the same way. So they thought that the  deity was danced and walked in their home and they made nice items in order to celebrate this as his deity was happy. So when Nimai saw all this , he smiled in his mind that  thought that I have tricked my parents. The yogamaya makes them forgot about the greatness of the Lord who is very opulent. Nimai was also very naughty like Krsna. Nimai was no less. And people used to complainabout him. So to chastise Nimai he used to get very angry aand started chastising him. But everyone told him that he is not an ordinary child but he said, I don’t care and I can only correct him. Jagannath Mishra and Saci Mata and all old people gave vatsalaya rasa to Nimai. So everything started yesterday and today’s Jagannath Misra utsav every lila gets unfolded later on.

Gaur premanandeHari haribol.

So we celebrate this festival in ISKCON temples around the worldand you can also celebrate it and in Navadwip also many people have assembled.  Make your homes temples. So make more Gaur Nitai temples. And do kirtan as well.

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

Keep Chaitanya Charitamrita in your home, read it and also distributeit as well.When I was in Pandharpur, so Grihasta devotees purchased and kept them in their home, so Kaliyuga is the yuga of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

CC Ādi 17.21

harernāmaharernāma
harernāmaivakevalam
kalaunāstyevanāstyeva
nāstyevagatiranyathā

Translation

‘In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari.’

So this gift of harinaamsankirtan was given by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and you should share his name, dham and pastimes with everyone. Come to Mayapur. You go to Ayodhya, Vrindavan etc but Mayapur you should definitely go because it is the Audarya dham. So come to his dham as well.

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.

Hari Hari!

Gaur preamanadehariharibol.

Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!

Gauranga!!!

Japa Talk Shlokas
Speaker: H.G Sunder Chaitanaya Maharaj
Date: 25-03-2024

Theme : Advent of Chaitanya mahaprabu

First I would like to wish you all a blissful Gaur Purnima festival. Most auspicious and blissful day today , appearance of Shri Gauranga mahaprabhu. At moonrise, the golden moon is rising today. Mahaprabhu is like the moon.

bahu-koti candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-dese bana-mala kore jhalamala-

Translation

The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines. [Text 6, Jaya Jaya Goracander Arotik]

Like millions of moon rising at the same time , so this is Gauranga mahaprabhu. And He appears during the lunar eclipse as the moon is also beautiful and shines. The moon is covering his face because the golden moon has appeared. Lord Krsna appears once in a day of Brahma. And He appears on the 28 th Chatur yuga in Dwapar yug. He appears in His original form. Krsna is original. He is not an incarnation. In Geet Govinda

tave kara-kamala-vare nakham
adbhuta-shringam
dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu-bhrigam
keshava-dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisha 

Translation 

O Keshava! 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 wasp-like demon, Hiranyakashipu, has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.

[Sri Dasavatara-stotra by Jayadeva Gosvami]

Krsna is original Keshav , He takes various forms. In Srimad Bhagwatam 22 incarnations are mentioned. And it is mentioned that there are countless incarnation of Krsna. Krsna appears once in a day of brahma. Normally the yuga goes like satyug, treta yug , dwapar yug and then kaliyug. Dwapar yug should come on second number but it is in third number and treta is on second. What is the reason behind this ? Because Krsna appears as a devotee. In kaliyug Krsna comes as a devotee as Shri Chaitanya mahaprabhu just after Krsna’s appearance. There are many references from Srimad Bhagwatam.

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

Translation

 In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions. [SB 11.5.32]

He is not Ghanashyam but He is Gaura – complexion of Radharani. And ahe comes with Hus associates and weapons. Special weapons – not the sword , not chakra , no bows, no arrows , special weapon and what is that ? Love !

Hari nam !

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare

This is the weapon – love for Krsna. He comes with that love to destroy the demons in this age only by love. In kaliyug only by love. So there are two demons who always come, we know that. Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha, Ravana and Kumbhkaran , shishupal and danta vakra. In kaliyug they come as jagai madhai. So in other yug Krsna is killing the demons but Jagai Madhai were given Krsna prem. Krsna does sankirtan yagya in kaliyug. Those who are intelligent will be worshiping that Lord. So Prabhupada said to become intelligent do not remain a fool. So we can say that we are intelligent because we are following the verse. Sankirtan yagnya is for kaliyug.

kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ

tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ

dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ

kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt

Translation

Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Viṣṇu, in Tretā-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvāpara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. [SB 12.3.52]

And He has also mentioned

pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma

sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma

Translation

In every town and village throughout the world,” said Lord Caitanya, – the chanting of My holy name will be heard [CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126]

He said My name will be sung in every town and every village. Mahaprabhu has mentioned town and village. Padyatris are walking in between town and village. So they are doing more because mahaprabhu mentioned every town and village but padyatris are walking and spreading the holy name. Hari Bol ! So you can see ,

(yadi) gaura nā hoito, tabe ki hoito,

kemane dharita de?

Translation

If Lord Gaura had not appeared as the yuga-avatara in this age of Kali, then what would have become of us? How could we have tolerated living? Who in this universe would have ever learned about the topmost limits of loving mellows that comprise the glory of Sri Radha? [by Vasudeva Ghosa]

If Gauranga mahaprabhu was not there what would have happened to us ? He appears like a lion. He is roaring like a lion. He had power like a lion. Just when lion is roaring in a forest then different animals just disappear. Similarly when mahaprabhu is roaring in sankirtan movement all the effects of kaliyug disappear. So there is prayer that the lion may be seated in my heart or in the core of every living entity. So with His roaring voice all demonic qualities will disappear the same as small animals who ran away after hearing the lion” s roar. So this is a very very powerful weapon that He brought to this world. Kaliyug dharma.

kali-yuge yuga-dharma — nāmera pracāra

tathi lāgi’ pīta-varṇa caitanyāvatāra

Translation

The religious practice for the Age of Kali is to broadcast the glories of the holy name. Only for this purpose has the Lord, in a yellow color, descended as Lord Caitanya. [CC Ādi 3.40]

Theme : Yug Dharma Harinam sankirtan

 Kaliyug is coming. What is yug dharma ? To spread the Holy name of the Lord. Why has he descended as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in yellow color ? He has given the message which is the essence of the truth of Krsna and the truth of Bhakti, truth of Prema , bhav and also the Leela tatva. It means that we have to understand the meaning of all these tatva. He has come like molten gold. His body is beautifully covered with Chandan. And He is accustomed also to accept sannyasa orders. He is very peaceful and self controlled. He is always bringing peace to the world by chanting holy names.

suvarṇa-varṇo hemāṅgo

varāṅgaś candanāṅgadī

sannyāsa-kṛc chamaḥ śānto

niṣṭhā-śānti-parāyaṇaḥ

Translation

“In His early pastimes He appears as a householder with a golden complexion. His limbs are beautiful, and His body, smeared with the pulp of sandalwood, seems like molten gold. In His later pastimes He accepts the sannyāsa order, and He is equipoised and peaceful. He is the highest abode of peace and devotion, for He silences the impersonalist nondevotees.”[CC Ādi 3.49]

He has adverted to distribute the holy name all over the world.

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

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.’[CC Ādi 7.76]

This verse was quoted by His spiritual master. When mahaprabhu asked His spiritual master “ what kind of mantra have you given to Me gurudev ? And every time I am chanting I am becoming mad. What type of force it has that as I chant I am becoming mad. So when Mayawati sanyasis asked Him why are you chanting ? Then mahaprabhu told them that this my spiritual master has told me and it is also purana and upnishad , chanting of the holy name. And the Mayavadi sanyasis they know that verse they can not deny it. They can not say they don’t know. They can not say because this is from there philosophy. Then His spiritual master told Him that yes that is the nature of this mahamantra that after chanting this one becomes mad , starts dancing , cry. So one can feel all spiritual emotions after chanting this holy name.

One day Murari Gupta – a very exalted devotee – is the incarnation of hanuman and he is always chanting Ram Ram Ram. Then mahaprabhu told him that he must stop chanting Ram and start chanting Krsna’s name because in kaliyug harinam is Krsna name. So please chant Hare Krishna. Next time Mahaprabhu met him He asked are you chanting Krsna’s name ? Murari Gupta said “ my dear lord , I will commit suicide because I can not follow your instructions. Every time I chant Krsna Ram comes from my mouth. Because he is Hanuman he can not stop chanting Ram name. So I cannot stop chanting Ram and I cannot follow your instruction so it is better for me to vomit suicide. But mahaprabhu told him No I tried to test you. Please continue to chant. A good servant is a servant who never lives with his master. And a good master is one who never live his servant. You are a good servant, you don’t want to leave your master. So please continue to chant. From this we can learn here that a servant should never leave his master.

sei bhakta dhanya, ye nā chāḍe prabhura caraṇa
sei prabhu dhanya, ye nā chāḍe nija-jana

Translation

“Glorious is that devotee who does not give up the shelter of his Lord, and glorious is that Lord who does not abandon His servant. [ CC Antya 4.46]

Gurumaharaj says that we don’t want to be anath – which means without a master. Maharaj told

One has not given up anger and other sins but why has chanting given up ? Another devotee of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Sarang Thakure.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told him to give initiation and accept disciples. But he was so humble he said no I will not initiate. Mahaprabhu insisted again and again so he said ok tomorrow morning I will give initiation to the first  person I will meet. Next morning he woke up and went to take a bath in Ganges. And there was a dead body floating in the water. He had not said a very first person but he had not said alive or dead. So he had to initiate and he chanted the harinam and  that person came back to life. So this is the point that exalted devotees give life to dead bodies. Same way gurudev is also doing , because we are all dead because one who is not engaged in the service of Vishnu is considered to be dead.

neha yat karma dharmāya

na virāgāya kalpate

na tīrtha-pada-sevāyai

jīvann api mṛto hi saḥ

Translation

Anyone whose work is not meant to elevate him to religious life, anyone whose religious ritualistic performances do not raise him to renunciation, and anyone situated in renunciation that does not lead him to devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must be considered dead, although he is breathing.”[ ŚB 3.23.56]

So we were all dead before initiation and gurudev came and gave this initiation and we came back to life. So this Holyname bring back to life to the people to the whole world. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has come to distribute the Holyname. To kill the demonic mentality with love  of godhead.

golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana,

rati na janmilo kene tay

samsara-bishanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale,

juraite na koinu upay

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. [ Hari Hari Bifale 2]

Gaur pornima maha mahotsav ki jai !  

24 March 2024
Glorification of the Holy Name
Speaker: HG Anantasesa prabhu

All Glories to Sri Gaur Purnima Festival. We all are waiting eagerly for this auspicious occasion. This Tithi is the purest of all. I offer my obeisances to that Gaur Purnima which is full of all good qualities.

caitanyera janma-yātrā—phālgunī pūrṇimā
brahmā-ādi e tithira kare ārādhanā (CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 3.43)

Translation: Lord Caitanya appeared on the full moon night of the month ofPhālguna, a day thus worshiped by Brahmā and others.

parama-pavitra tithi bhakti-svarūpiṇī
yaṅhi avatīrṇa hailena dvija-maṇi (CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 3.44)

Translation: This day is the reservoir of devotional service and therefore mostsanctified, because the Supreme Lord, the best of the brāhmaṇas,appeared on that day.

nityānanda-janma māghī śuklā trayodaśī
gauracandra-prakāśa phālgunī paurṇamāsī(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 3.45)

Translation: Lord Nityānanda appeared on the thirteenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Magha, and Gauracandra appeared on the full moon evening in the month of Phālguna.

sarva-yātrā maṅgala e dui puṇya-tithi
sarva-śubha-lagna adhiṣṭhāna haya ithi (CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 3.46)

Translation: These two days are most auspicious because all favorable planetary conjunctions are present on these days.

eteke e dui tithi karile sevana
kṛṣṇa-bhakti haya, khaṇḍe avidyā-bandhana(CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 3.47)

Translation: Therefore whoever observes these two days attains devotion to Lord Kṛṣṇa and freedom from the bondage to ignorance.

It’s so fortunate that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with the holy name of Krsna appeared. That’s why Chaitanya is Known as “The father of congregational chanting of the holy name” or also in Chaitanya Charitamrita we read Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami offers his obeisances to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the following words “He is the Son of Jagannath Misra and all his associates and also I offer my pranams to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his only mission is “The congregational chanting of the holy name”.

When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said,

Prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama,
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama(CB Antya-khanda 4.126)

Translation: In every town and village throughout the world, said Lord Caitanya, – the chanting of My holy name will be heard.

This means the holy name will be propagated everywhere. Also it refers to the name of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

krsna-nama krsna-dhama mahatmya apara 
sastrera dvaraya jane sakala samsara [42]

Translation: Through the scriptures, the whole world understood the unlimited glories of Krishna’s Name and Krishna’s abode.

tabu krsna-prema sadharane nahi paya
ihara karana kiba chintaha hiyaya [43]

Translation: Still, in general, souls did not attain divine love for Krishna. What is the reason for this? Consider it within your heart.

ihate achhe ta eka gudha-tattva-sara
maya-mugdha jiva taha na kare vichara [44]

Translation: In this regard, there is a highly confidential subject that souls bewildered by Maya do not consider.

bahu janma krsna bhaji’ prema nahi haya
aparadha-punja tara achhaya nischaya [45]

Translation: When souls serve Krishna for many births but do not develop divine love, then certainly they have made offences.

aparadha-sunya haye laya krsna-nama
tabe jiva krsna-prema labhe avirama [46]

Translation: When souls, free from offences, chant the Name of Krishna, they quickly attain divine love for Krishna.

sri-chaitanya-avatare bada vilaksana
aparadha-sattve jiva labhe prema-dhana [47]

Translation: The special characteristic of Sri Chaitanya’s Pastimes is that souls attain the wealth of divine love even while they commit offences.

“nitai chaitanya” bali’ yei jiva dake
suvimala krsna-prema anvesaye take [48]

Translation: Pure divine love for Krishna searches for souls who call out “Nitai-Chaitanya!”

aparadha badha tara kichhu nahi kare
niramala krsna-preme tara ankhi jhare [49]

Translation: Offences do not obstruct such souls, and their eyes cry with pure love for Krishna.

svalpa-kale aparadha apani palaya
hrdaya sodhita haya prema bade taya [50]

Translation: Within a short time, offences leave on their own. The souls’ hearts become purified, and divine love develops within them.

kali-jivera aparadha asankhya durvara
gaura-nama vina tara nahika uddhara [51]

Translation: The offences of the souls in Kali-yuga are unlimited and unavoidable. There is no deliverance for them without the Name of Gaura.

ataeva gaura vina kalite upaya
na dekhi kothao ara sastra phukaraya [52]

Translation: Thus, in Kali-yuga, I do not see any way without Gaura, and the scriptures proclaim this.

A living entity blinded by the illusory energy of the Lord does not get any desire to practice Krsna consciousness. What to say of the non devotees, even when a person chants for millions of lifetimes still he might not get any desire to chant the holy names, if he continues to commit offenses against the holy name.

bahu janma kare yadi śravaṇa, kīrtana
tabu ta’ nā pāya kṛṣṇa-pade prema-dhana (CC Ādi 8.16)

Translation: If one is infested with the ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, despite his endeavor to chant the holy name for many births, he will not get the love of Godhead that is the ultimate goal of this chanting.

But Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura Prabhupada speaks, If one chants the holy name taking the shelter of Gauranga and Nityananda then he can attain Krsna Prema even if he continues to commit offenses. Here Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura is saying, if a devotee calls out Gauranga! Nityananda! then the holy name starts to run towards him to give Love of Godhead. He is no longer bound by the tendency to commit offenses and very soon offenses start to run away from him.

‘nityānanda’ balite haya kṛṣṇa-premodaya 
āulāya sakala aṅga, aśru-gaṅgā vaya (CC Adi 8.23)

Translation: Simply by talking of Nityānanda Prabhu one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa. Thus all his bodily limbs are agitated by ecstasy, and tears flow from his eyes like the waters of the Ganges.

Krsna’s holy name destroys the committed sins. Similarly the names of Gauranga and Nityananda destroy the tendency to commit sins. Without taking the shelter of Gauranga’s, its almost impossible to get liberated.

caitanya-nityānande nāhi e-saba vicāra
nāma laite prema dena, vahe aśrudhāra (CC Adi 8.31)

Translation: But if one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda, very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus as soon as he chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love for God.

The scriptures repeatedly say, in Kaliyuga there is no other way except the holy name of the Lord. Even today those who take the shelter of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, they attain perfection in a very short span of time.

As an example we can observe the achievements of Srila Prabhupada. He went and preached amongst the Hippies, the Lowest of mankind. They had no qualifications, no purity. We can see in India, the chanting of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra is very common.

But we see no feelings towards Krsna in them. But with the efforts of Srila Prabhupada and him letting the people to chant the holy names of Krsna along with the names of Gauranga and Nityananda, these Indians themselves agreed that these foreign devotees are filled with the love for Krsna. The chanting of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s name destroys the sins.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu delivered high class people like Keshav Kashmiri, Sarva Bhauma Bhattacharya, etc. But Nityananda Prabhu delivered the lowest class of people like Jagai and Madai, those who had no connection with the Lord. Nityananda Prabhu’s name develops a desire to chant the holy names of Krsna. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s name and Nityananda Prabhu’s name has the same characteristics as they themselves.

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada says, If a person follows the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he understands himself to be lower than the blade of Grass and he can very soon attain perfection. One has to be very conscious not to commit offenses while chanting the holy name. But there is no precaution needed to chant the names of Gauranga and Nityananda.

That’s why it’s important to worship Gauranga and Nityananda prior to worshiping Radha Krsna directly. Unless one has not attained the mercy of Gauranga and Nityananda , it’s not necessary to visit Vrindavan. Because unless one’s heart is purified one cannot worship and understand Vrindavan.

āra kabe nitāi-cānder koruṇā hoibe
saḿsāra-bāsanā mora kabe tuccha ha’be (Gauranga Bolite Habe 2)

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

Even if one does so, he won’t attain the desired results. Firstly one should worship Guru and Gauranga and beg their mercy and by their mercy, he can approach Radha Krsna gradually.

bhaja gaurāńga kaha gaurāńga laha gaurāńgera nāma re
je jan gaurāńga bhaje, sei (hoy) āmāra prāṇa re (Bhaja Gauranga 1)

Translation:  Worship Lord Gauranga! Chant Gauranga! Speak about Lord Gauranga only! Those who worships Lord Gauranga is indeed my life and soul.

The names of Krsna are non different from Gauranga’s name still there is a difference, as the holy name of Krsna and Krsna himself are non different. Still the holy name is much more merciful then Krsna himself.

Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya

koti koti varsa kari’ sri-krsna-bhajana
tathapi namete rati na paya durjana [33]

Translation: Unfortunate souls worship Krsna for billions of years but do not attain attraction to His Name.

gauranga bhajile dusta-bhava dure yaya
alpa dine vraja-dhame radha-krsna paya [34]

Translation: If souls worship Gauranga, their wickedness goes away, and they quickly attain Radha and Krsna in Vraja Dham.

nija siddha-deha paya sakhira asraya
nija kunja sri-yugala-seva tara haya [35]

Translation: They attain their spiritual body and the shelter of the sakhis, and serve the Divine Couple in their own grove.

Similarly Gauranga’s name is more merciful than Krsna’s name, though they are non different. Because Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s incarnation is much more merciful. When we chant the holy names taking the shelter of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then this holy name becomes “Prem Naam”.

Now there can be a question, if we can attain perfection by chanting the names of Gauranga and Nityananda then why should we chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra? This has become the reason why many apasan apradha arose. We need to please Gauranga Mahaprabhu also. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu chanted the Hare Krsna Mahamantra, also he ordered his followers to chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra, as he did in the case of Tapana Misra.

So if we want to please Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then we have to chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra. Others those who are chanting any other mantra they just want to please themselves and not Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Nityananda Prabhu declares, if you want to attain happiness in this world then I will bless you with this boon immediately, chant Gauranga’s name and dance. This will give you such bliss which is completely beyond your imagination.

There is no other way to be happy in this Kaliyuga. Even if you continue to chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra for millions of births still you won’t attain perfection. On the other hand one who serves in the mission of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission or Srila Prabhupada’s mission then very soon he will attain perfection. He will attain eternal service on the Radha Krsna’s Nikunja. That’s why we chant the Panchatattva’s Mantra and then we chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra.

There are no offenses in chanting the Pancha Tattva Mantra. But there are offences in chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra. When I was hearing this in the presentation by HH Bhakti Brhad Bhagwat Swami Maharaj then he said, It’s good to start with Pancha tattva Mantra. But we have attained this Pancha tattva Mantra by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. So best is to start by chanting the Pranam Mantra of Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada says about apasan apradha, that these people are chanting the names of Gauranga and Nityananda for self satisfaction. They are just emphasizing on the worship of Gauranga and Nityananda only and not on the worship of Radha Krsna and this is wrong. And they are destroying the Parampara. That’s why I decided to take these philosophical aspects and not just the pastimes.

siddhānta baliyā citte nā kara alasa
ihā ha-ite kṛṣṇe lāge sudṛḍha mānasa (CC Ādi 2.117)

Translation: A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Because unless we understand these principles nicely, our understanding is imperfect.

HG Padmamali prabhu: On this Gaur Purnima festival, we should analyse our advancement in our commitments to serve in the mission of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu which is very well quoted by HG Anantasesa Prabhu. When we are going to celebrate Gaur Purnima festival, by the mercy of HG Anantasesa Prabhu we will be able to understand the principle of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s appearance. This session was like the essence of the previous two sessions.

Hare Krsna.

23 March 2024
Pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Speaker: HG Anatashesha prabhu

Hare Krsna.

parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitai gauracandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda (Param Karuna Pahu Dui Jana 1)

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.

Garuda Purana says,

yo reme saha-ballavi ramayate vrndavane ‘har-nisam 
yah kamsam ni jaghana kaurava-rane yah pandavanam sakha
so ‘yam vainava-danda-mandita-bhujah sannyasa-vesah svayam
nihsandeham upagatah ksiti-tale caitanya-rupah prabhuh (Garuda Puran)

Translation: he Supreme Lord who took delight in His pastimes with the gopis, who filled the residents of Vrindavana with joy day and night, who slew Kamsa, and who made friends with the Pandavas in the battle between the Kauravas, will without any doubt, come again to the earth. He will be a sannyasi with the name Chaitanya whose arm will be decorated with a bamboo stick.

Krsna who plays around in the forests of Vraja and who guided Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, has appeared as Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Nabadwip Dham.

Chaitanya Chandramrita speaks,

kalinda-tanayā-taṭe sphurad-amanda-vṛndāvanaṁ
vihāya lavaṇāmbudheḥ pulina-puṣpa-vāṭīṁ gataḥ |
dhṛtāruṇa-paṭaḥ parihṛta[ parākṛta iti pāṭhaḥ chandasaḥ samīcīnaḥ.]-supīta-vāsā haris
tirohita-nija-cchaviḥ prakaṭa-gaurimā me gatiḥ
( Sri Caitanya Candramrtam 79)

Translation: Leaving the charming forest on the bank of the Yamuna and entering a flower garden by the shore of the salt-water ocean, rejecting His yellow garment and accepting a saffron cloth, Lord Hari has now concealed His own bodily lustre and manifests a golden complexion. Let me take shelter of that golden Lord Hari.

That who has left his yellowish garments and has accepted Sanyas in Kaliyuga, may that Krsna become by destination. When Krsna enters Queen Rukmini’s palace, immediately she sees Krsna and faints. Krsna was surprised, usually people become happy to see me, then why Rukmini Fainted! After she revived her consciousness, Krsna asked what had happened?? Rukmini replied, as soon as I saw your Lotus face, I became jubilant.

yo brahma rudra śuka nārada bhīṣma mukhyai, rālakṣito na sahasā paruuṣasya tasya
sadyo vaśīkaraṇa cūrṇa mantra śaktiṃ, taṃ rādhikā caraṇa reṇumanusmarāmi

(Śrī Rādhā Sudhā Nidhi 4)

Translation: Lord Brahma, Shiva, Sukadeva, Narada, Bhisma, and a host of great saints cannot easily get the association of Shri Krishna. The same Shri Krishna can be captured immediately by the grace of the dust of the lotus feet of Shri Radha, the dust that has limitless power. Let me meditate on the dust of Shri Radha’s feet.

But the very next moment, I remembered very soon you will go somewhere else leaving me alone. As soon as this thought struck me that feeling of separation was unbearable and I fainted. When this pastime was taking place, Narada Muni arrived and the Lord Shared that in Kaliyuga I will appear with this intense love of my pure devotees. I will take birth as a child of Mother Sachi and spread the glories of my Holy name everywhere.

My external appearance will be very beautiful, just like Sumeru Mountain. When he was describing this,very soon Dwarkadhish himself transformed into  Gauranga’s Form. Narada Muni was jubilant having such divine Darshans. Similarly in Chaitanya Mangal, the Lord told Katyayini Devi, In Kaliyuga I will appear as human and preach the Love of Godhead. Keep this as secret.

Lochana Das Thakura, commented, Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s incarnation is the essence of all the different incarnations of the Lord who has appeared to deliver the fallen conditioned souls of the entire universe.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-dayā karaha vicāra
vicāra karite citte pābe camatkāra (CC Adi 8.15)

Translation: If you are indeed interested in logic and argument, kindly apply it to the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. If you do so, you will find it to be strikingly wonderful.

Gauranga Mahaprabhu told Narada Muni, I will be distributing the causeless mercy all around to the people of Kaliyuga.

patrapatravicaranam na kurute na svam param viksyate
deyadeyavimarsako na hi na va kalapratiksah prabhuh
sadyo yah sravaneksana-pranamana-dhyanadina durlabham
datte bhakti rasam sa eva bhagavan gaurah param me gatih

( Sri Caitanya Candramrtam Verse 77)

Translation: He does not consider whether a person is qualified or not. He does not see who is His own and who is an outsider. He does not consider who should receive and who not. He does not consider whether it is the proper time. The Lord at once gives that nectar of pure devotional service that is difficult to attain even by hearing the message of the Lord, seeing the Deity, offering obeisances, meditating, or following a host of spiritual practices. That Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Gaurahari, is my only shelter.

He says, this incarnation is not like any other incarnations in any other Yuga. This is very different. In other Yugas, I would kill the big demons using different weapons. But in Kaliyuga, demons exist in the heart of the people, they can’t be killed by gross weapon. To destroy them, I would use the weapon which is used by Vaishnavas. I would use the sharp weapon of Nama Sankirtan, congregational chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. This sword can enter the hearts of the people and kill the demon inside. In Dwapar Yuga itself Lord Dwarkadhish, predicted his appearance as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Kaliyuga. And also Krsna predicted the appearance of Srila Prabhupada.

(Caitanya Mangala Sutra-khanda Song 12, texts 562-565)

nama-guna-sankirtana vaisnavera shakti
prakasa karibe ami nija prema-bhakti

Translation: Chanting of the name & qualities of Krsna is the life & energy of the Vaisnavas. I will reveal these activities & rejuvenate pure devotional service unto Myself.

ei mate kali-papa karibe sanhara
sabe cala age pache na kara vichara

Translation: In this way I will destroy all the sins in Kali Yuga. So all of you, My associates, go ahead and take birth on the earthly planet before My advent and don’t remain behind.

ebe nama sankirtana tikshna khadaga laiya
antara asura jivera phelibe katiya

Translation: Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, (nama-sankirtana) I will root out & destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of all the conditioned souls.

yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese yaya
mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya

Translation: If some sinful people escape and giving up religious principles go to far off countries, then my Senapati Bhakta will come at that time to give them Krsna consciousness. (senapati – a military field commander, bhakta – a devotee. Lord Caitanya will empower His own devotee to spread Krsna Consciousness around the world.)

He said, even the demons who have hidden themselves in foreign lands will be delivered by “My” Commander in chief. That devotee would reach the entire world and he would drown the entire universe in Krsna Prema. Lochana Das Thakura speaks, He would drown everyone without any exception.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told Haridas Thakura, when we chant the Holy names of the Lord loudly it gives pleasure to all the species of life including trees, birds, animals etc. Krsna speaks, I will distribute Krsna Prema which is hardly received by Brahma or Lord Shiva after begging for ages.

In other ages, it’s difficult to practice spirituality. But in Kaliyuga, one just has to chant the holy names and dance. That’s why Sri Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami speaks, dear devotees just imagine the extent of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy on the fallen souls of this Kaliyuga.

Sri Chaitanya Chandramrita says,

rakṣo-daitya-kulaṁ hataṁ kiyad idaṁ yogādi-vartma-kriyā-
mārgo vā prakaṭī-kṛtaḥ kiyad idaṁ sṛṣṭy-ādikaṁ vā kiyat |
mediny-uddharaṇādikaṁ kiyad idaṁ premojjvalāyā mahā-
bhakter vartma-karīṁ parāṁ bhagavataś caitanya-mūrtiṁ stumaḥ
atigūḍhojjvalā bhaktiḥ kalau yena prakāśitā |
avatāra-varaṁ naumi gaura-harim īśvaram ||7||
(Sri Caitanya Candramrtam Verse 7)

ranslation: What benefit did the world attain when Lord Rama, Lord Nrsimha, and many other incarnations of Godhead killed so many raksasa and daitya demons? How important is it that Lord Kapila and other incarnations revealed the paths of sankhya and yoga? How glorious is it that Lord Brahma and other guna-avataras create, maintain and destroy the material universes? How auspicious is it that Lord Varaha lifted the earth from the Garbhodaka Ocean? We do not consider any of these activities to be very important. The most important thing is that Lord Caitanya has revealed the great splendour of pure love of Krsna. Let us glorify that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu does not consider any qualification or disqualification. Neither does he think whether he should be awarded or not. Instantly,he gives out the mellow of devotional service to anyone in Kaliyuga.

Also it says, I worship Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who saved us by killing the different demons, for example as you appeared as Lord Rama. Also in other ages you appeared as Kapila Deva and practiced Yoga practices. As Varaha, you delivered Mother Earth. But this Incarnation of yours is very different, in which you delivered everyone without any consideration of qualification or disqualification.

Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura also glorified Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, after the Jagai Nitai pastime.

Vrajendra-nandana jei, saci-suta hoilo sei,
balarama hoilo nitai
dina-hina jata chilo, hari-name uddharilo,
tara sakshi jagai madhai (Hari Hari Bifale 3)

Translation: Lord Krishna, who is the son of the King of Vraja, became the son of Saci (Lord Caitanya), and Balarama became Nitai. The holy name delivered all those souls who were lowly and wretched. The two sinners Jagai and Madhai are evidence of this.

After Jagai and Madai were delivered, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu declared, go door to door and beg the people of Kaliyuga to chant Hare Krsna Mahamantra.

(sraddhaban jana he sraddhaban jana he)
prabhura ajnaya bhai magi ei bhikha
bolo krishna bhajo krishna koro krishna-sikha (Nadiya Godrume 2)

Translation:  (O faithful people, O faithful people,) O my brothers, by the Lord’s command I ask this charity of you: Please chant, Krishna!”, worship Krishna, and learn and teach about Krishna.

And if they are still not chanting my Holy name then I will personally come and kill them with my Sudarshan Chakra. Later on as part of Jagai and Madai pastimes, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard Madai hitting Nityananda Prabhu with a pot and Nityananda Prabhu was bleeding. He appeared at that spot. He had Sudarshan Chakra, but Nityananda Prabhu asked Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to forgive Jagai.

Whatever he faced was the result of some past sinful activities. But Jagai was so merciful, he saved him and stopped Madai from killing him.

eka jiva, dui deha—jagai-madhai eka punya,
eka papa, vaise eka thani (CB 2.13.200)

Translation: Jagāi and Mādhāi were like one soul with two bodies, yet here one was pious and one was sinful.

As soon as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard that Jagai had saved Nityananda, he immediately embraced Jagai and blessed Jagai with his Chaturbhuja Darshan. Jagai fainted out of ecstasy.

pātrāpātra-vicāra nāhi, nāhi sthānāsthāna
yei yāṅhā pāya, tāṅhā kare prema-dāna (CC Adi 7.23)

Translation: In distributing love of Godhead, Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates did not consider who was a fit candidate and who was not, nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They made no conditions. Wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the Pañca-tattva distributed love of Godhead.

Looking at this even Madai thought, Jagai got such mercy from the Lord. When will I get delivered and he fell at the Lotus feet of Nityananda prabhu and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he begged for the mercy. Then Lord even forgive him. And he delivered both Jagai and Madai. Then Jagai and Madai glorified Lord Gauranga with the following words.

(Chaitanya Bhagavata 2.13)
papi uddharile yata nana avatare
parama adbhuta—taha ghosaye samsare (259)

Translation: You have delivered numerous sinful persons in Your various incarnations. This is glorified throughout the world as most wonderful.

ama’-dui patakira dekhiya uddhara
alpatva paila purva mahima tomara (260)

Translation: By delivering us two, however, Your past glories have become minimized.

ajāmila-uddhārera yateka mahattva
āmāra uddhāre seho pāila alpatva (261)

Translation: Even the glories of delivering Ajāmila have been minimized by delivering us.

satya kahi,—āmi kichu stuti nāhi kari
ucitei ajāmila mukti-adhikārī (262)

Translation: We are not flattering You, we are speaking the truth. Ajāmila was actually fit for liberation.

ebe se haila veda—maha-balavanta
ebe se badani kari’ gaiba ananta (271)

Translation: By Your influence and behavior the science of sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana has fully blossomed. Therefore Ananta can now loudly sing the Vedic truths.

ebe se vidita haila gopya guna-grama
`nirlaksya-uddhara’—prabhu, ihara se nama (272)

Translation: Now Your hidden quality is known to all. Delivering unqualified fallen souls by Your causeless mercy is the shining example of this.

yadi bala—kamsa-adi yata daitya-gana
tahara o droha kari’ paila mocana
kata laksya ache tathi, dekha nija-mane
nirantara dekhileka se narendra-gane (273-274)

Translation: If You say that despite their attack, demons like Kaṃsa were also delivered, then consider what qualities they had. Those kings constantly saw You. They fought with You according to kṣatriya principles and constantly thought of You in fear. Yet they could not avoid the sin of attacking You, and as a result they and their dynasties were destroyed.

sarva-mate prabhu, tora e mahima bada
kahare bhandiba? sabe janileka dadha (279)

Translation: O Lord, this is certainly due to Your extraordinary glories. Who can be deceived now? Everyone is convinced.

mahabhakta gajaraja karila stavana
ekanta sarana dekhi’ karila mocana (280)

Translation: The great devotee Gajendra offered You prayers, and You delivered him because he was fully surrendered.

daive se upama nahe asura putana
agha-baka-adi yata keha nahe sima (281)

Translation: That example cannot be applied to demons like Pūtanā,Agha,and Baka

chadiya se deha tara gela divyagati
veda vine taha dekhe kahara sakati? (282)

Translation: Although they attained the spiritual world when they left their bodies, who had the power to see that without Vedic knowledge?

ye karila ei dui pataki-sarire saksate
dekhila iha sakala samsare (283)

Translation: What You have done to us two sinners, however, has been directly seen by people of the entire world

yateka karila tumi pataki-uddhara
Karo kona-rupa laksya ache sabakara (284)

Translation: The sinners that You have previously delivered all had some qualification or another.

nirlaksye tarila brahma-daitya dui-jana
tomara karunya sabe ihara karana” (285)

Translation: But now You have causelessly delivered two persons who were brāhmaṇa demons. This is only due to Your mercy.

They said, the deliverance of Ajamila is not something extraordinary. Ajamila had chanted your Holy name then you Delivered him. But we were so sinful, we tried to hit you. You delivered the demons in Dwapara as Krsna but this is not something extraordinary too. All those demons were connected to you. Kamsa was your maternal uncle and also other demons left their bodies in front of you so their deliverance was guaranteed.

But look at us, we are still living and people are glorifying us. Also in the case of Putana, scriptures tell us that you gave her the position of your mother in the spiritual world, but who knows this, we have not seen that. But in our case we were so fallen that even people will not appreciate our shadow. But now you transformed our hearts.

Hare Krsna.

Date- 22^nd March 2024
Speaker- Anantasesa Prabhu
Theme- Glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Hare Krsna! We will hear the glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityänanda
jayädvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
äjänu-lambita-bhujau kanakäva-dätau
sankirtanaika-pitarau kamaläya-täksau
visvambharau dvijavarau yuga-dharma-pälau
vande jagat priyakarau karunävatärau
namas trikäla satyäya      jagannätha sutäya ca
sa-bhrtyäya sa-puträya      sa-kalaträya te namah
avatirnau sa-kärunyau      paricchinnau sad isvarau
sri krsna caitanya-nityänandau      dvau bhrätarau bhaje
anarpita-carim cirät
karunayävatirnah kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-
rasäm sva-bhakti-sriyam
rädhä krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hlädini saktir asmäd
ekätmänäv api bhuvi purä deha-bhedam gatau tau
caitanyäkhyam prakatam adhunä tad-dvayam caikyam äptam
rädhä-bhäva-dyuti-suvalitam naumi krsna-svarüpam
sri-rädhäyäh pranaya-mahimä kidrso vänayaivä-
svädyo yenädbhuta-madhurimä kidrso vä madiyah
saukhyam cäsyä mad-anubhavatah kidrsam veti lobhät
tad-bhävädhyah samajani saci-garbha-sindhau harinduh
jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityänanda
jayädvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

Hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare – Hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

Sri Gaura mahotsava ki jai!

It is the matter of great happiness, as the appearance day of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is approaching. For those who have taken shelter of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet, those who are known as Gaudiya Vaishnavas, for them this is very special occasion. So, around 538 years ago Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu on Phalguni Purnima. He appeared in Navadvipa Mandal from the womb of mother Sachi, at the residence of Jagannath Mishra, may that Caitanya Mahaprabhu also manifest in our hearts. Hearing about the name, form, qualities and pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, helps us to develop our mood for the appearance day of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sub-theme: Glories of the special tithi, appearance day

May Lord manifest in our hearts on this special tithi, the appearance day. In the words of Vrindavan Das Thakur, as he speaks on the importance of Gaura Paurnima in Caitanya Bhagavat-

caitanyera janma-yäträ—phälguni pürnimä
brahmä-ädi e tithira kare ärädhanä

Translation- Lord Caitanya appeared on the full moon night of the month of Phälguna, a day thus worshiped by Brahmä and others. [CB Adi 3.43]

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared on the tithi of Phalguni Purnima. What is the importance of this tithi? All demigods worship this tithi. We also hear that Lord’s name, His form, His pastimes, His dham are non different from the Lord Himself. Srila Haridas Thakur says in Harinam Chintamani-

e samasta cid-vaibhava aprākṛta haya |
āsiyā-o e prapañce prāpañcika naya  ||20||

In the spiritual abode of the Lord, Lord’s name, form, qualities and dham, these are the expansions of the Lord. So as these name, form, qualities, pastimes and dham are non different from the Lord, similarly when Lord appears in this world in a particular tithi, that appearance tithi of the Lord is considered as non different from the Lord. Just as Caitanya Mahaprabhu is source of all incarnations, He is most munificent, He is known as mahavadanyaya; all qualities of Lord Caitnaya Mahaprabhu are present in the appearance tithi of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So, no other day is as munificent as this tithi, this appearance day tithi. So brahma adi, means even all demigods, and in all planets Gaura Purnima mahotsava is observed. It is not that only on Bhutala it is observed. And even in all times; not that Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared 538 years ago, so only after that Gaura Purnima festival celebration started. Though it is not known to all, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu is known as Channa Avatara, so Lord’s appearance tithi, day is also not known to all. So, caitanyera janma-yäträ—phälguni pürnimä brahmä-ädi e tithira kare ärädhanä.

parama-pavitra tithi bhakti-svarüpini
yanhi avatirna hailena dvija-mani

Translation- This day is the reservoir of devotional service and therefore most sanctified, because the Supreme Lord, the best of the brähmanas, appeared on that day. [CB Adi 3.44]

parama-pavitra tithi, this tithi, day, Gaura Purnima is most sanctified. I was told to speak on pastimes and then I was thinking about some tattva, philosophy and when I read these words, I decided to begin only with this. yanhi avatirna hailena dvija-mani, dvija-mani, when the best of Brahmanas, Nimai Pandit, Gaurasundar appeared, that tithi became most sanctified; this tithi is the personification of liberation.

nityänanda-janma mäghi suklä trayodasi
gauracandra-prakäsa phälguni paurnamäsi

Translation- Lord Nityänanda appeared on the thirteenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Magha, and Gauracandra appeared on the full moon evening in the month of Phälguna. [CB Adi 3.45]

Vrndavana Das Thakur is talking about two tithis. One is Magha sukla trayodasi, which is the appearance day of Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Phalguni purnima is the appearance day of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. What is the specialty of these two tithis?

sarva-yäträ mangala e dui punya-tithi
sarva-subha-lagna adhisthäna haya ithi

Translation- These two days are most auspicious because all favorable planetary conjunctions are present on these days. [CB Adi 3.46]

These two tithis are most auspicious. sarva-subha-lagna, all favorable planetary conjunctions, all auspicious planets are present on these two days. So this is specialty of these tithis, they immediately purify our mind, our consciousness. One who observes Gaura Paurnima festival and Nityananda Trayodasi festival; to observe festival means to fast and all, but the activity which pleases Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is sravana and kirtana. One who hears Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s katha and performs kirtan of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s names and serves Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by Harinama and all. What are the benefits of these days, Gaura Purnima and Nityananda Trayodasi? Vrndavana Dasa Thakur says-

eteke e dui tithi karile sevana
krsna-bhakti haya, khande avidyä-bandhana

Translation- Therefore whoever observes these two days attains devotion to Lord Krsna and freedom from the bondage to ignorance.  [CB Adi 3.47]

If one observes these two tithis, days with devotion and sincerity, worships Lord with dedication, does not perform any other activity other than Lord’s bhajan, maintains the purity of the tithi; just as the place where the Lord is installed, is known as vedi. Lord presents there. So when Lord is installed at that place, we can not contaminate it. It is known as Mandir or Garbhagrha. We can not keep there any contaminated thing. Similarly to maintain the purity of these tithis, we can not perform any other activity, which are said as krsnetara or gauretara, which are not related to the Lord. Our senses should not engage in any other subjects, which are not related to Gauranga Mahaprabhu. When someone serves in this way, then result does he gains? Krsna bhakti haya, only by observing these tithis one gets Krsna Bhakti. And khande avidyä-bandhana, just by observing Gaura Purnima festival one gets freedom from the bondage of ignorance. Sri Gaura Purnima Mahamahotsava ki Jai!

Sub-theme: Glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes

sri-caitanya-lilä ei—amrtera sindhu
trijagat bhäsäite päre yära eka bindu

Translation- The activities of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu are just like an ocean of nectar. Even a drop of this ocean can inundate all the three worlds. [CC Antya 5.88]

How are Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes? amrtera sindhu, these pastimes are just like an ocean of nectar. And how vast is this ocean? What is its potency? One drop of this ocean is having so much potency that it can inundate all three worlds. Bhäsäite, you know this, as we say in Tulasi arati- sri radha govinda preme sada yena bhasi; so bhasaite means inundate, may I remain inundate in the love of Radha Govinda. So trijagat bhäsäite pare, pare means the potency, only one pastime of Mahaprabhu has potency to inundate all three worlds in Krsna prema.

Srila Kaviraj Goswami says,

krsna-lilä amrta-sära,     tära sata sata dhära,

 dasa-dike vahe yähä haite

se caitanya-lilä haya,     sarovara aksaya,

 mano-hamsa caräha’ tähäte

Translation- The pastimes of Lord Krsna are the essence of all nectar, and that nectar is flowing in hundreds of rivers in all directions. The pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu are an eternal reservoir, and one is advised to let his mind swim like a swan on this transcendental lake. [CC Madhya 25.271]

mano-hamsa caräha’ tähäte How is our mind? It is like a swan. So the pastimes of Lord Krsna are the essence of all nectar, and that nectar is flowing in hundreds of rivers in all directions and when these pastimes appear in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes, then sarovara aksaya, it becomes nectarine, eternal reservoir.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given philosophy, about which it is said that

sri-bhägavata-tattva-rasa karilä pracäre
krsna-tulya bhägavata, jänäilä samsäre

Translation- Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu has personally preached the transcendental truths and mellows of Srimad-Bhägavatam. Srimad-Bhägavatam and the Supreme Personality of Godhead are identical, for Srimad-Bhägavatam is the sound incarnation of Sri Krsna. [CC Madhya 25.266]

Through His pastimes, Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu has personally preached the transcendental truths and mellows of Srimad-Bhägavatam.

sri-caitanya-sama ära krpälu vadänya
bhakta-vatsala nä dekhi trijagate anya

Translation- All sane men within these three worlds certainly accept the conclusion that no one is more merciful and magnanimous than Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu and that no one is as kind to his devotees. [CC Madhya 25.268]

Kaviraj Goswami says, within these three worlds certainly no one is more merciful and magnanimous than Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Therefore it is said that we should develop devotion for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sub-theme: Importance of hearing Caitanya lila before Krsna lila

sraddhä kari’ ei lilä suna, bhakta-gana
ihära prasäde päibä caitanya-carana

Translation- All devotees should hear about Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s pastimes with faith and love. By the grace of the Lord, one can thus attain shelter at His lotus feet. [CC Madhya 25.269]

After hearing the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, we can develop faith for Caitanya Mahaprabhu and we can thus attain shelter at His lotus feet. And when we attain shelter at His lotus feet, then what will happen?

ihära prasäde päibä krsna-tattva-sära
sarva-sästra-siddhäntera ihän päibä pära

Translation- By understanding the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, one can understand the truth about Krsna. By understanding Krsna, one can understand the limit of all knowledge described in various revealed scriptures. [CC Madhya 25.270]

Understand this sequence. When we will hear the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we will attain the shelter of Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet and when we will attain the shelter of Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet, by the mercy of Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet krsna-tattva-sära, we can become eligible to understand the truth about Krsna, in this Kaliyuga. sarva-sästra-siddhäntera ihän päibä pära, and we can become eligible to understand the limit of all knowledge described in various revealed scriptures. Therefore it is said that we should hear the pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then it is said that those who hear pastimes of Lord Krsna and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu-

ei amrta anuksana,     sädhu mahänta-megha-gana,

 visvodyäne kare varisana

täte phale amrta-phala,     bhakta khäya nirantara,

 tära sese jiye jaga-jana

Translation- The devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu take the responsibility for distributing nectarean devotional service all over the world. They are like clouds pouring water on the ground that nourishes the fruit of love of Godhead in this world. The devotees eat that fruit to their hearts’ content, and whatever remnants they leave are eaten by the general populace. Thus they live happily. [CC Madhya 25.276]

The pastimes of Lord Krsna and Caitanya Mahaprabhu are ocean of nectar, but if anyone is living far away from the ocean, then can he get the nectar? For him special home delivery is arranged. ei amrta anuksana, this ocean of nectar, sädhu mahänta-megha-gana, ‘chant with Lokanath Swami’ is megha, cloud, which is reaches to your home, sädhu mahänta-megha-gana, our Guru Maharaj is like a cloud. As it is said-

Samsära-dävänala-lidha-loka-
tränäya kärunya-ghanäghanatvam,
präptasya kalyäna-gunärnavasya
vande guroh sri-caranäravindam

Translation- The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

Guru Maharaj receives the benediction of the Lord and he distributes these benedictions everywhere. So ei amrta anuksana, sädhu mahänta-megha-gana, visvodyäne kare varisana, how is this world? It is like a garden. Clouds bring water from ocean and shower it in the garden. Then as a result, fruits and flowers grow in that garden. täte phale amrta-phala, bhakta khäya nirantara, tära sese jiye jaga-jana, so in this garden, in the world, pure devotees shower the nectar and with that all the living entities who are like plants, täte phale amrta-phala, fruits grow in the garden and bhakta khäya nirantara, devotees eat that fruit to their hearts’ content. tära sese jiye jaga-jana, Thus they live happily. They get sweet rice, what kind of sweet rice is this?

Sub-theme: We must read Caitanya Caritamrta daily

caitanya-lilä-amrta-püra,     krsna-lilä-sukarpüra,
duhe mili’ haya sumädhurya
sädhu-guru-prasäde,     tähä yei äsväde,
 sei jäne mädhurya-präcurya

Translation- The pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu are full of nectar, and the pastimes of Lord Krsna are like camphor. When one mixes these, they taste very sweet. By the mercy of the pure devotees, whoever tastes them can understand the depths of that sweetness. [CC Madhya 25.277]

Yesterday you were listening from the lotus mouth of Guru Maharaj, ksira chora Gopinath, so this Caitanya lila is -amrta-püra, very beautiful, very tasty sweet dish. When one takes shelter of the Caitanya Mahaprabhu and hears His pastimes, and after that he hears pastimes of Lord Krsna, then he can get the nectarian taste of Krsna’s pastimes. Therefore it is said, first caitanya-lilä-amrta-püra,     krsna-lilä-sukarpüra, if there is sweet dish like rabadi and on top if camphor is added then the flavor increases. When we read Caitanya Caritamrta, we see that Caitanya Mahaprabhu is hearing and relishing the pastimes of Lord Krsna. So we can understand Bhagavatam through the medium of Caitanya Caritamrta. Therefore it is said, caitanya-lilä-amrta-püra, krsna-lilä-sukarpüra, duhe mili’ haya sumädhurya, when both comes together, then it becomes very-very sweet. sädhu-guru-prasäde, tähä yei äsväde, By the mercy of the pure devotees, whoever tastes them can understand the depths of that sweetness. We can understand by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. sädhu-guru-prasäde, tähä yei äsväde, sei jäne mädhurya-präcurya, so when one takes shelter of the Caitanya Mahaprabhu and hears His pastimes, and after that he hears pastimes of Lord Krsna, then he can understand madhurya rasa. Therefore what is importanct? We need to hear this. One should not hear the pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu only at the time of Gaura Purnima, but it should be essential part of our daily life. Everyday we should hear pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But if we do not hear Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrta, then as a result Kaviraj Goswami says-

ye lilä-amrta vine,     khäya yadi anna-päne,

 tabe bhaktera durbala jivana

yära eka-bindu-päne,     utphullita tanu-mane,

 häse, gäya, karaye nartana

Translation- Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Krsna gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Krsna’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing and dance. [CC Madhya 25.278]

When the devotee simply eats for strong body, but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Krsna, gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. He easily gets affected by adverse situations. Even after performing sadhana, his life remains full of negativity. What is the reason? He is not taking the actual food of the soul. yära eka-bindu-päne, utphullita tanu-mane, häse, gäya, karaye nartana. If devotee always hears the pastimes of the Lord, then he gets healthy spiritual life with blissful heart, and that devotee always remains enthusiastic in the service of the Lord. And if he does not always hear Lord’s pastimes then he falls down, as mentioned by Srila Prabhupada in the purport. Therefore one must hear pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We hear that in the Caitanya Caritamrta, the most confidential mood of Caitanya Mahaprabhu is given. So devotees ask, Prabhuji this is said as post graduation. So can we hear or read it? We see that Srila Prabhupada went to give Krsna consciousness to the whole world, that time he felt that it is very important to introduce Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada has given commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam, but during this time as he was getting older,

ämi vrddha jarätura,     likhite känpaye kara,

mane kichu smarana nä haya

nä dekhiye nayane,     nä suniye sravane,

tabu likhi’—e bada vismaya

Translation- I have now become too old and disturbed by invalidity. While I write, my hands tremble. I cannot remember anything, nor can I see or hear properly. Still I write, and this is a great wonder. [CC Madhya 2.90]

As it was the situation of Krsndas Kaviraj Goswami, same thing was with Srila Prabhupada. So Kaviraj Goswami said this- ämi vrddha jarätura, I have now become too old, likhite känpaye kara, while I write, my hands tremble, mane kichu smarana nä haya, I cannot remember anything, nä dekhiye nayane, nor can I see properly, nä suniye sravane, nor can I hear properly, tabu likhi’—e bada vismaya, still I write, and this is a great wonder, in fact Caitanya Mahaprabhu is writing this making me a medium. This was the situation of Srila Prabhupada. So Srila Prabhupada started translation of Srimad Bhagavatam in Radha Damodar temple. What special thing he did? In the beginning of Bhagavatam, before the translation of Bhagavatam verses, Srila Prabhupada wrote the entire life and teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. What does it mean? Srila Prabhupada wanted the people of the world should know about Caitanya Mahaprabhu. After that when Srila Prabhupada established Krsna consciousness movement, installed Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu everywhere and took Them to the western world. Srila Prabhupada stopped his most important work of Srimad Bhagavatam and started writing Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. Srila Prabhupada wanted that devotees should read. Therefore we should not avoid it. Especially those who are chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra and who have understood the main philosophy that jiva krsna dasa, living entity is the eternal servant of Lord Krsna, and Harinama is the essence of Kaliyuga; when he understands this philosophy, then he should read Caitanya Caritamrta.

So the pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu are like nectar. Some says that there are narrations of Madhurya prema in Caitanya Caritamrta. We are not capable to understand this. We are not eligible for that. Then it is said that

yebä nähi bujhe keha,     sunite sunite seha,

ki adbhuta caitanya-carita

krsne upajibe priti,     jänibe rasera riti,

sunilei bada haya hita

Translation- If one does not understand in the beginning but continues to hear again and again, the wonderful effects of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes will bring love for Krsna. Gradually one will come to understand the loving affairs between Krsna and the gopis and other associates of Vrndävana. Everyone is advised to continue to hear over and over again in order to greatly benefit. [CC Madhya 2.87]

yebä nähi bujhe keha, If one does not understand, then also continues to hear again and again, the wonderful effects of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes. sunite sunite seha, continue to hear over and over again, then what is the benefit? krsne upajibe priti, jänibe rasera riti,sunilei bada haya hita, by hearing pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one will develop love for Krsna. Krsnadas Kaviraj has said at another place that those who are mahapasandi, rascals, the yavanas, they also become Mahabhagavata just by entering in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya through ears. In the words of Narottama Dasa Thakur-

gaurängera duti pada jä’ra dhana sampada

se jäne bhakati-rasa-sära

gaurängera madhura-lilä jära karne pravesilä

hrdaya nirmala bhela tä’ra

Translation- Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Caitanya as their only asset knows the true essence of devotional service. If anyone gives submissive aural reception to the pleasing and sweet pastimes of Lord Caitanya, then immediately his heart becomes cleansed of all material contamination.

Same thing here Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami is saying. krsne upajibe priti jänibe rasera riti. Now a day so called kathakar, the narrators of Bhagavatam talks about rasa pastimes the mood of Gopis and Manjaris. I was discussing with one senior devotee. He was saying, now a day people speaks on the mood of Vrndavana, the mood of Vraja and the mood of Radharani; this is just sentiment. He said, unless the person does not read Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, he can not stand on the firm platform. What is the real mood, what is the philosophy of the mood, he can not understand this. So,  jänibe rasera riti, sunilei bada haya hita. Therefore at the end it is said-

Caitanya-caritämrta nitya kara päna
yähä haite ‘premänanda’, ‘bhakti-tattva-jnäna’

Translation- O devotees, relish daily the nectar of Sri Caitanya-caritämrta and the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, for by doing so one can merge in transcendental bliss and attain full knowledge of devotional service. [CC Antya 5.89]

Just as nityam bhagavata sevaya, here also it is said that once in a year open Caitanya Caritamrta on Gaura Purnima. No! Caitanya-caritämrta nitya kara päna, as we eat daily, same way daily we must hear about Caitanya Mahaprabhu. yähä haite ‘premänanda’, ‘bhakti-tattva-jnäna’. As it is said at other places, hearing Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta is very important. Hearing Bhagavad Gita intensifies our faith in bhakti. By hearing Srimad Bhagavatam, we remember Sri Krsna. Devotee chants, but even after chanting he can not remember Sri Krsna. Sometimes after chanting for two hours we realize that we chanted for two hours but could not remember Sri Krsna even for a moment. It is not the case here, especially for those who have darshan of Guru Maharaj; just by his darsan we remember Sri Krsna. So it is not said for these devotees. Other devotees feel that even after chanting they can not have realization. Then there, the disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Sachinandana Swami Maharaj says, how one remembers Sri Krsna in chanting of Harinama? By reading Srimad Bhagavatam remembrance of Krsna is possible. Similarly devotees say, by reading Bhagavatam we can remember Sri Krsna, and by reading Caitanya Caritamrta we develop mood of separation from Sri Krsna. By reading Caitanya Caritamrta we develop laulyam for Sri Krsna.

I had to start the lila narration, but looks like I have promoted Caitanya Caritamrta marathon. Anyways, by ISKCON, distribution of Caitanya Caritamrta is going on from Nityananda Trayodasi to Gaura Purnima. May be this is already informed to you, and you must have informed. All devotees should enthusiastically participate in this and every devotee must have his own copy of Caitanya Caritamrta. It is the real wealth of everyone’s life. If he is Gaudiya Vaishnava, have bungalow and car, but do not have Caitanya Caritamrta; it is seen that in the family, each member have his own Caitanya Caritamrta. Each one of you has your own smart phone, your personal clothes and all. You must have your personal Caitanya Caritamrta and must read it daily. This is very important.

So we were going to discuss on mahavadanyaya.

namo mahä-vadänyäya
krsna-prema-pradäya te
krsnäya krsna-caitanya-
nämne gaura-tvise namah

O most munificent incarnation! You are Krsna Himself appearing as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahäprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Rädhäräni, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krsna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You. [CC Madhya 19.53]

I was remembering this mahä-vadänyäyata of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We will see in three days what we can cover. I have also asked to narrate some pastimes. By the mercy of Guru Maharaj I will speak as per the inspiration. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Sri Gaura Purnima Mahamahotsava ki Jai!

Sri Caitanya Caritamrta ki Jai!

Sri Caitanya Bhagavata ki Jai!

Japa Talk : 21 March, 2024
Speaker:H. H. Lokanath Swami
Theme: Disappearance day of Madhavendra Puri

Sub Theme: Introduction

Gauranga!

jaya jaya śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya nityānanda;
jayādvaita-candra jaya gaura bhakta vrṇda

Translation

O Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, all glories to You. O Prabhu Nityananda, all glories to You.O Lord Advaitacandra, all glories to You. O devotees of Lord Gauranga, all glories to you all.[Song Name: Jaya Jaya Sri Krsna Caitanya Nityananda – Verse No 1]

jaya sri-krishna-chaitanya
prabhu nityananda
sri-adwaita gadadhara
shrivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela madhavendra sripada-thakur

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 [Je Anilo Prema dhana 1]

Today, is the disappearance day of Sripad Madhavendra Puri Thakur. It is not an Anand Utsav (utsava meant to be celebrated). There are some days filled with joy and sorrow. We have to morn today.

500 years ago, Sripada Madhavendra Puri  on today’s date, entered the eternal pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

All glories to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!

Due to this, all the jivas were deprived of his association.

Sub Theme: The External Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Sripada – Madhavendra Puri was the first acharya – to reveal the love of Godhead for the first time. Before the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – in this material world, his teachers or spiritual masters appeared.

pitā mātā guru ādi yata mānya-gaṇa
prathame karena sabāra pṛthivīte janama

Translation

Thus respectable personalities such as His father, mother and spiritual master all take birth on earth first. [CC Adi 3.94]

mādhava-īśvara-purī, śacī, jagannātha
advaita ācārya prakaṭa hailā sei sātha

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī, Īśvara Purī, Śrīmatī Śacīmātā and Śrīla Jagannātha Miśra all appeared with Śrī Advaita Ācārya.[CC Adi 3.95]

Isvara Puri is the disciple of Madhavendra Puri. Śrīmatī Śacīmātā and Śrīla Jagannātha Miśra appeared as the parents of the Lord Sri Chaitanya. These are the first generation associates – namely Madhavendra Puri Pada, Isvara Puri, Jagannatha Misra, Srimati Saci Mata and Sri Advaita Acarya. They all appeared about 50 years ago before Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s descend. Sri Krṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – had descended distribute the love of Godhead and relish the transcendental mellows of the divine love.

Madhavendra Puri is the first acharya.

Sub Theme: Who was the spiritual master of Madhavendra Puri?

He had taken initiation from the Madhava Sampradaya.  His spiritual master was Laxmipati Tirtha. Laxmipati Tirtha was from the Madhava Sampradaya. In that Sampradaya there was no mellow for Shrigarmik Bhakti. Due to Lord Sri Krṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – Laxmipati Tirtha experienced – the love of Godhead in the form of creeper of devotional service. The love of Godhead sprouted or distributed in the heart of Laxmipati Tirtha due to Madhavendra Puri.  Madhavendra Puri distributed this love of Godhead to Iswara Puri. In this disciplic succession, Iswara Puri gave the love of Godhead to Lord Sri Krṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Iswara Puri became the disciple of Madhavendra Puri. Lord Sri Krṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself was the disciple of Iswara Puri.

All glories to Mahaprabhu!!

It has been shown that Lord Sri Krṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu got the love of Godhead in disciplic succession. Madhavendra Puri was the first acharya in this disciplic succession. Lord Sri Krṣṇa Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then distributed this love and its has slowly reached us.

Prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama, sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama:

Translation

In every town and village throughout the world,” said Lord Caitanya, – the chanting of My holy name will be heard [CB Antya-khanda 4.126]

ei-mata nityananda-prabhura bhramana
daive madhavendra-saha haila darasana

Translation

As the Lord traveled in this way, by the will of providence He met ŚrīMādhavendra Purī. [CB Adi 9.154]

Nityanada Prabhu was travelling to South India. Due to the will of providence, he met Sri Madhavendra Puri on the way.

Sub Theme: Who was Madhavendra Puri?

madhavendra-puri prema-maya-kalevara
prema-maya yata saba sange anucara

Translation

The body of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī is imbued with ecstatic love ofGod, and his followers partake of those same sentiments. [CB Adi 9.155]

krsna-rasa vinu ara nahika ahara
madhavendra-puri-dehe krsnera vihara

Translation

He did not relish anything other than loving sentiments for LordKṛṣṇa, who enjoyed His pastimes in the body of Mādhavendra Purī. [CB Adi 9.156]

Madhavendra Puri’s food and drink was mellows of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s divine love. This is from Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata.LordKṛṣṇa, resided in the body of Mādhavendra Purī.

When Nityananda saw Madhavendra Puri, He was immediately stunned in ecstatic love and fell to the ground unconscious.

While hearing any pastime, we have to – recreate a painting of the pastime in our mind. Lord Nityananda said – “I have visited many – pilgrimage places. Today I have seen your lotus feet. You are the most important of the holy places. My life has become successful by seeing you. I think this is the fruit of my pilgrimage”.

Madhavendra Puri stayed at Vrindavan also.

All glories to Vrindavan Dham!!

Madhavendra Puri performed the Govardhan Parikrama daily. There is a village named Jatipura there. When we go from Govind Kund, there is temple of Puchari ka lota baba. We have to take a turn, then when we proceed towards Radha Kund. On the way, there is a small village – known as Jatipura. A sanyasi is known as Yati. Madhavendra Puri was a sanyasi. The village gets the name Yatipura or Jatipura from Madhavendra Puri. Sometimes due to the Bengali pronounciation Ya becomes Ja, as Yamuna becomes Jamuna or Vrindavan becomes Brindavan.

On the banks of Radha Kund-Shyam Kund we find the Madhavendra Puri Baithak.  One day, while doing his daily Parikrama, Madhavendra Puri reached Govinda Kund. He was resting on the banks of Govinda Kund. He was tired, after performing his japa. He got the darshan of the Lord. Madhavendra Puri was hungry. He never begged anything from anyone. He would accept if someone gave something, else he would remain hungry. Hari Hari!!

Lord came and told him – “Please drink this pot of milk. I will collect the pot later”. Madhavendra Puri asked him how did you know that I am hungry. The cowherd boy replied “Nobody can stay hungry in my village. I will not leave anyone hungry. I will collect the pot later”. Madhavendra Puri waited for him. The boy did not return but he appeared again in Madhavendra Puri’s dream.

He instructed – Madhavendra Puri – “I stay as a deity in this bush close by. They have hidden me there. Please take me out of this bush.”

Next morning, Madhavendra Puri visited the location as per the Supreme Lord’s instruction. He took out the deity. This deity was one amongst the many deities installed by Vajranabha, the great grandson of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Out of fear of the mughal invaders, he had hidden the deity behind the bushes.

Sub Theme: Annakoot Ceremony for Gopal

Madhavendra Puri installed the deity on the top of a hill. Many devotees came to pay visit to the deity. Some devotees built a goshala and donated cows. Madhavendra Puri celebrates an “Annakoot” Ceremony for Gopalji. They made big big mountains of rice. This was similar to the Annakoot Ceremony held by Nanda Maharaj as per the instructions of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Lord said “Stop this. Please stop the worship of Indra, instead worship Govardhan”. Following the instructions of the Lord, Nanda Maharaj alongwith various Vrajvasis – celebrated the Annakoot Ceremony or Govardhan Pooja. They made huge mountains with variety of preparations. Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarama also took active part in the Govardhan Pooja.

Sub Theme: Test of Surrender

One day, Madhavendra Puri while he was resting had another dream. And in this dream Gopal appeared to him again. Bring sandalwood pulp from Jaggannath Puri. And He said that my bodily temperature still has not decreased.Please bring sandalwood from the Malaya province and smear the pulp over my body to cool me. Madhavendra Puri goes to Orissa from Vrindavan.

Sub Theme: Pastime of Kheer Chor Gopinath

When Madhavendra Puri arrived in Shantipur, he met Sri Advaita Acharya. Madhavendra Puri later initiates Sri Advaita Acharya. On his way, from Shantipur to Jagannath Puri, he stopped at Remuna where the deity of Gopinath is situated. And upon seeing the beauty of the deity Madhavendra Puri was overwhelmed.Then he sat down and asked from the brahman, “What kind of food was offered to the deity?” The priest explained to him the varieties of food that were offered to Gopinath. And then he told him that in the evening, there’s an offering of kheer – in twelve earthen pots. And because the taste is like nectar, it is called Amritakeli. And Madhavendra Puri was thinking, if only I could taste…if without my asking, he was thinking, someone brings me, just a small portion and I can taste it, then I can prepare a similar preparation for the pleasure of Gopal.

This is Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, always thinking of serving the Lord.

But then he was thinking, “How offensive I am, well Thakurji, Sri Krishna is eating the food and I’m thinking of eating that same food. So he felt very guilty and very bad.”

Some pujaris eat the prasadam themselves or distribute it amongst their family members. Not thinking of the highest or sublime good for the people in general. The pujaris were good, I donot want to commit offense at the lotus feet of Pujaris. Madhavendra Puri did not get the prasadam. And just at that time, the bell rang and the aarti began and after aarti Madhavendra Puri offered his prostrated obeisances and left without saying anything to anyone.

Then he went to a secluded market place within the village. He did not beg from anybody. He could have asked – “Where is the pujari? Who is the pujari? He could have met him and demanded the prasadam”. That was not his nature.

Since, it was night time, the pujari put the deity of Gopinath to rest and also went to rest. But in a dream he saw Gopinath appeared to him and he spoke, “Please get up and open the door of the temple. I have kept one pot of sweet rice for the sanyasi Madhavendra Puri.This pot of sweet rice is just behind my cloth curtain.”

Madhavendra Puri had desired to taste the kheer so that he that could make it himself for Gopalji. He did not express his desires to anybody. But the Lord had noted Madhavendra Puri’s desire. The deity form of the Lord is non different from the Supreme Lord. It is sad-cit-anand.

Lord understood the desire of Madhavendra Puri, to taste the kheer. Lord also understood that this pujari will not give the kheer to Madhavendra Puri. The offering of kheer was made to Gopinathji in many clay pots. The Lord stole one pot of kheer before the pujari came to clear the offerings. Hence, the deity of Gopinath at Remuna was later known as Kheer Chora Gopinath.

Lord stole kheer for Madhavendra Puri.

Awaking from the dream, the pujari immediately rose from his bed and took his bath and went into the temple. There he found behind the curtain, behind the deity was hidden one pot of kheer. He was struck with wonder. Then he went out of the temple and closed the door as he went to the village with the pot of sweet rice and he started calling out in every stall and every corner. May he whose name is Madhavendra Puri please come and take this pot. Gopinath has stolen this pot for you. May the sanyasi whose name is Madhavendra Puri please come and take this pot of sweet rice and enjoy the prasad with great happiness. You are the most fortunate person within these three worlds. Hearing the invitation Madhavendra Puri came out and identified himself and the priest knowing what sort of glorious person he is that Gopinath had stolen the kheer just for him. Lord performed this very wonderful pastime. The brahman offered his prostrated obeisance’s to Madhavendra Puri. Madhavendra Puri offered obessainces to the kheer.

Then Madhavendra Puri upon taking leave from the brahman priest, he ate the sweet rice offered to him by Krishna in great ecstatic love. And after this he washed the pot and broke it into pieces and bound them in his cloth to take with him. And each day it is said Madhavendra Puri would eat one piece of that earthen pot. And after eating it, he would immediately be overwhelmed with ecstasy.

Sub Theme: Unparalleled devotion of Madhavendra Puri

Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhutook sanyasa at Katwa. Later, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu started for Jagannath Puri from Mayapur. From Katwa he visited Shantipur, there Saci Mata tell him “O my dear son, please do not go to Vrindavan. It is very far. Please make Jagannath Puri your base or head-quarters.” When Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu was going to Jagannath Puri from Shantipur, he happened to – visit – the village named Remuna.

Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu with his associates namely Nityananda Prabhu, Mukunda Datta, Jagananda Pandit, Damodar Pandit etc. They stayed for one night at Remuna.

Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Himself glorified the pastimes of Madhavendra Puri which included his life and teachings. Specially the pastime at Remuna, where Lord Gopinath stole the prasadam for Madhavendra Puri.

This pastime – depicts their strong bond of love. Lord narrated this pastime at Remuna Himself.

Hari Hari!!

Madhavendra Puri thought that the Lord has given me a pot of sweet rice and when people would hear of this tomorrow there would be great crowds. So out of humility, he did not want to become famous. He did not want to become very well known as a special Paramhamsa Vaishnava. He left Remuna for Jagannath Puri.

Sub Theme: A pure devotee’s fame

Madhavendra Puri went to Jagannath Puri to carry the sandalwood for Gopalji. He is an example of extraordinary humility – as he left Remuna to avoid fame. When Madhavendra Puri came to Jaggannath Puri all the people around were aware of his reputation. Every town and every village before he arrived, his reputation had already been understood by everyone and they all greeted him and celebrated him. He did not like this. So he was always going from one place to another. He got lots of help. Some devotees gave – him sandalwood as charity. And in this way he started for Vrindavan with the burden of sandalwood. Lord was waiting for him. So when Madhavendra Puri reached the temple of Gopinath at Remuna he offered his respectful obeisance’s many times at the lotus feet of the Lord.Madhavendra Puri took rest that night but towards the end of the night he had another dream. Madhavendra Puri dreamed that Gopal came before him again and said, “O Madhavendra Puri, I have already received all the sandalwood and camphor.” The Gopal of Vrindavan was speaking to him. Now just grind all the sandalwood together with the camphor and then smear the pulp on the body of Gopinath daily until it is finished. There’s no difference between My body and Gopinath’s body. They are one and the same. Therefore, if you smear the sandalwood on the body of Gopinath, you’ll naturally also smear it on My body. Thus the temperature of My body will be reduced. You should not hesitate to act according to my order. Believing in me, just do as it is needed”. After giving these instructions, Gopal disappeared.

Then Madhavendra Puri awoke up and immediately called for the servants of Gopinath and told them that “Smear the body of Gopinath with this camphor and sandalwood that I’ve brought for Gopal in Vrindavan. He later stayed there at Balesor (a small city in Remuna).

Madhavendra Puri did not return to Vrindavan. He was very old. Iswara Puri was one of the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri. Iswar Puri was the spiritual master of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Iswar Puri stayed with Madhavendra Puri at Remuna. He helped Madhavendra Puri in every way. Today – is the disappearance day of Madhavendra Puri which happened at Remuna.

All glories to Madhavendra Puri!!

His samadhi is at Remuna near the kheer chor Remuna temple. I was fortunate to get the darshan of his samadhi.

The love which he tasted and distributed – is now available to us in disciplic succession. My prayer at the lotus feet of Sripad Madhavendra Puri is – May we attain the transcendental love which he attained and distributed.

evam parampara-praptam
imam rajarsayo viduh
sa kaleneha mahata
yogo nastah parantapa

Translation

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost. [BG 4.2]

I will stop here.

All glories to the Disappearance day Maha mohatsava of Sripada Madhavendra Puri!!

Date: 20 March 2024
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj
Topic: Review from one Ekadashi to Another Ekadashi
HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:

I am the speaker today. Today there are1600 participants. Some of you join only on Ekadashi. This is not good. I want to inspire you all to chant with me every day. We have to chant every single time’ Kirtaniya Sada Harih’. We have to chant every day and the morning time is best. You should chant in association of saintly people.

In the next 40 mins I’ll tell you 40 things.

Today is also the day to review what we have done in the period between this and last Ekada shi. I will tell you what all happened since I came to Mayapur in zest.

In 1972, Srila Prabhupada organized Gaura Purnima Festival which I missed. But since then, 1973, I have attended all Gaura Purnima Festival here except the one skipped during corona. Srila Prabhupada establishes this festival. Srila Prabhupada has given us all festivals This Mayapur festival is the king of all festivals. ‘Utsav Priy Manavah’- Festivals are liked by all human beings.
So, we had the ICC meeting of all the Indian temple managers.

During Srila Prabhupada’s time we had just 7-
8 temples. now we have 300+ temples, preaching centres and branches, etc.
Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur who ordered Srila Prabhupada to go and preach in the west. His 150 birth anniversary celebrations are also this year. We had a 3-day festival in Mayapur in his honour where all the devotees and followers from Gaudiya Math’s and Iskcon came together to glorify Srila Bhakti Siddhant Sara swati Thakur. There was also prasadam distribution in a large scale on the name of Srila Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakur.

Srila Prabhupada did ground breaking ceremony in 1972, establishing Ananta Shesha. It got delayed to start the construction of the temple and we are still completing it. Firstly, the Priest’s floor was ready. Prabhupada came in the new temple. We inaugurated the Narashinga Dev temple wing this year. The Deity has been transferred not establish.

HG Ambirish Maharaj Prabhu, Alfred Ford was instructed to build this TOCP. He is also the chairman of this project. They have collected the amount for the construction of this temple. I have also welcomed and respected by HG Ambrish Maharaj Prabhu.

We have also collected in our areas by many devotees and Congregation. Many pledges were made. But not fulfilled yet. I want to give you a reminder on the behalf of HG Vraj Vilas Prabhu and HG Ambrish Maharaj Prabhu. So, please fulfil your pledges as soon as you can so that we can open the temple soon for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.

20 years ago, Panchatattva were installed. So, every 4 years we have a grand Abhishek of the Panchatattva Deities. So, we had that too this year. In the earlier festivals, I got the opportunity to do Kirtan in this festival. 5 years ago, I had done Abhishek of Advaita Acharya. And HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj was doing Abhishek for Nityananda Prabhu right beside me. I missed HH Bhakti Charu Swami this time. I got to do Abhishek of all the deities today along with doing kirtan. You also have to try to come for such festivals.

We then went from Mayapur to Mogra near Kolkata. There we did pandal program which was started by HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj. I was going in the absence of HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj. I was invited to participate along with HH Bhakti Prem Swami Maharaj. Many thousands of devotees and Padayatris were also there for pandal program. On returning we stopped at Ritu Dwipa or Champahati and there we saw Gaura Gadadhara deities of Mayapur. There was a flood after Chaitanya Mahaprabhu leave this planet. Some deities were saved. This is the one which was saved by Bhakti Vinod Thakura from the flood and inaugrated here.

We have ILS and SGGS on alternative year in Mayapur. ILS is Iskcon Leadership Sanga and SGGS is Sanyasi Guru GBC Sanga. SGGS meeting was held this year for 3 days. There were many conversations for the unity of the movement. We also had the official festival opening ceremony, Hosting the flag etc. Devotees from more than 70+ countries came Mayapur.

Srila Prabhupada would see the United Nations building with all the different country flags displayed. He said what unity is there when there are so many flags. Here we have the United Nations of the spiritual world under one flag. Now a days all people and nations are struggling to be together and Srila Prabhupada got all the fame for doing this.

We all were there as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. There was only one kitchen for all the devotees. One Kitchen – One Family. We all took prasadam together. This is the spiritual bliss. We had convocation ceremony for the Mayapur institute for higher education (MIHE) where they do Bhakti Shastri and other devotional courses. I was there to award the certificates. Many devotees received various titles like Bhakti Vedant, bhakti Vaibhav, bhakti Shastri and Bhakti Sarvabhauma. When will you get these titles?

HH Jaya Pataka Swami Maharaj got the title of Bhakti Vedanta. We gave him the title in SGGS meeting. He did this despite his health and even various engagements. They wanted to give him a honorary degree. But Maharaj said I’ll study like all and give exam to get certified.
Now they have classes in various language. Earlier there was used only English language.

I gave class one day in Hindi and English. One day was very special as all India Padyatra came to Mayapur. We had started from Kanyakumari and came to Mayapur in 1986, for the first time to celebra te 500 year of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Since then, we have been doing Padyatra every single day. There are so many padyatras now. All India Padyatra reached 10th time in Mayapur.

With the arrival of Nita Gaura Sundar this year, Kirtan Mela was inaugurated. This isvery special because Kirtan was first inaugurated here by lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the courtyard of Srivas Thakur.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did Kirtan with all his associates. udilo aruṇa pūraba-bhāge, By Bhakti Vinod Thakur:

udilo aruṇa pūraba-bhāge,
dwija-maṇi gorā amani jāge,
bhakata-samūha loiyā sāthe,
gelā nagara-brāje

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.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to dance in kirtan.
Guru Ashtakam:

mahaprabhoh kirtana-nritya-gitavaditramadyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Translation:

Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his bodily hairs stand on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

And even today this kirtan is going on. Fortunate people can see him. Bhakti Vinod Thakur, Navadweep Mahatmya Praman Khand:

Adyapih sei leela kare gaur rai,
kona kona bhagyavan dekhibare paaye
Translation:

Even today Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is playing the leela and only some fortunate souls can see these leela.

We had devotees from various temples come and do kirtan.
We had a disciple gathering at the goshala. We had this gathering every year.
We did Go Puja and tractor Puja which was donated to the Padyatra by some donor.
We got reports from various devotees from here and abroad.
We did Mayapur Parikrama. We had the 34th parikrama this year.
We had started parikrama in 1972 and would go in buses.

Now we have started walking parikrama since 1974. There were only 70 devotees in 1974. Now there were 7 groups of devotees in Parikrama. This year 14-15 thousand people joined. I have predicted in Yogapeeth, where we were gathering for Adhivas, Holy Name will bring everyone back to Godhead. In the next 1000 years this holy place will be the world’s no 1. You will forget everything. Please let me know after 2-3 thousand years, if this prediction is right or wrong.

Doing parikrama is like entering Lord’s pastimes. You should do Mayapur parikrama, Braj Mandal Parikrama, VrindaVan parikrama and Sri Kshtera Parikrama at least once in your life.

There are more than 100 devotees who are practising celibacy came here in Mayapur. We held some special program and seminars for them.
We also went to Panihati from Mayapur near Kolkata. It was not a good feeling to leave Mayapur. There, in Panihati, we had the chipped rice and yogurt. Srila Prabhupada went there in 1976 and wanted to buy a land. He instructed HH Bhakti Charu Swami who has now started the new temple project. This is the same place, where Danda Mahotsav was happened. Nityanand Prabhu punished and instruct him to provide every one yogurt and chipped rice. Now, we have a temple just right there.

We had short visit of Nagpur and then we reached to Pachora where we celebrated 1 year anniversary of the temple opening. Many devotees came there in large numbers. Some big donor as helped donated land of 3 Acres and other construction facility. We thanked them for their help.
We are building Pandharpur temple. We are raising funds for that. We want to Finnish it fast. On 25 March, we are going to celebrate Gaura Purnima. Please participate in your local temple. We should celebrate it just like Janam Ashtami. As Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is non-different from Krishna. 538 Years ago, Krishna appeared as Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

All Glories to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!
Nitai Gaur Premanande- Hari Bol!
HG Anant Shesha Prabhu : In a single day, Guru Maharaj attended 10 programs including
village centers.
Hare Krishna!

18 March 2024
Speaker: Istadeva Prabhu
Theme: Divine appearance of Gaura Gadādhara in Champahati

Hare Krishna!!

All glories to Sri Navadvīpa Mandala Parikrama!
All glories to Sri Mayapur Dham!
All glories to Gaura Gadādhar!

We are having Darshan of Sri Gaura Gadadhar temple in Champahati. This is in Ritu dvīpa. Ritu means seasons. All the seasons had a meeting here and the Spring season dominated by saying that Lord would appear in Spring season as Spring season is the king of all seasons. This place in Ritu dvīpa is called Champahati, which denotes that this is the place of Champaklata gopī of Krsna līla and it also means a marketplace of Champa flowers. Devotees used to make garlands of Champa flowers for the Lord. A devotee named Vāninātha lived here. He was the younger brother of Gadādhara Pandit and an exalted devotee of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Once Mahāprabhu came at Vāninātha’s place here along with Gadādhara Pandit. They stayed at his place for some days.They used to do kīrtana on the banks of Samudragarh. Vāninātha served Them well. When Mahāprabhu was about to leave, Vāninātha was broken just like the gopīs of Krsna līla. He was feeling the emotion of separation from Mahāprabhu just like the gopīs of Vrindāvana felt separation from Krsna. He tried ways to stop Them. But Mahāprabhu told him that He has to go for preaching as He is a Sannyāsī.

pratimā naha tumi — sākṣāt vrajendra-nandana
vipra lāgi’ kara tumi akārya-karaṇa”

Translation

“My dear Lord, You are not a statue; You are directly the son of Mahārāja Nanda. Now, for the sake of the old brāhmaṇa, You can do something You have never done before.” (CC Madhya 5.96)

Mahāprabhu consoled him by making deities of Gaurānga Gadādhara. Gaurānga Mahāprabhu is Śrī Krsna Himself and Gadādhara Pandit is Śrīmati Radharani. So, beautiful deities were made of Gaurānga Gadādhara for Vāninātha so that he can worship and serve the deities and get bliss. These deities were so lively that when Mahāprabhu and Gadādhara Pandit were leaving, Vāninātha stopped Them by saying, “let these deities go and you both stay.” But when the deities were leaving, he was much willing to keep the deities and let Gaura Gadādhara go. This went on for sometime. And finally, the deities and Mahāprabhu and Gadādhara Pandit couldn’t be differentiated.

On returning from a program on 4th March in Mogra, Guru Maharaj halted here in Gaura Gadādhara temple for half an hour and had breakfast with us. Nitai ji, a devotee, served us prasāda. Once Nityānanda Prabhu and Jīva Goswāmī came here and stayed for a day. It seemed like Vrindāvana to Nityānanda Prabhu. Even Śrīla Jayadeva Goswāmī, who wrote the Gīta Govind, had visited this place several times. Gaura Gadādhara temple is one of the important temples in Navadvīpa Mandal as these are very old deities.

Speaker: Acharya Prabhu

Gaura Gadādhara temple is 500 years old. Nityānanda Prabhu used to recite Gīta Govind to Gaura Gadādhara daily like it is used to be recited before Lord Jagannātha. We also heard Bhīma ji used to offer garland on the lotus feet of the Lord daily.

Theme: River Ganga got benedicted

Going a little further we will see the house of Vachaspati where Mahāprabhu would come daily to learn from him. There is a bank of Ganga river. Mahāprabhu played wonderful childhood pastimes on the banks of Ganga. Ganga always desired that Krsna played all His nectarian childhood pastimes on the banks of Yamuna in Vrindāvana. So she should also get such an opportunity. That’s when Mahāprabhu granted that to her when He appeared in Navadvīpa Mayapur. It is very fortunate to live and perform devotional services near the banks of Ganga or Yamuna. We can get Krsna prema easily. Nityānanda Prabhu established Nāmahatta in Godruma dvīpa. HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj ji is preaching extensively here. Almost Eight thousand devotees are associated with Nāmahatta. It is a gathering of devotees from all over the world.

Once, there was a great devotee of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. His name was Sāranga Thākura. He used to chant under a tree in the hot sun rays. Then, Mahāprabhu came and touched that tree. That tree became lively. That tree is still there.

We get to see the places of Mahaprabhu’s childhood pastimes even today. It is already 7:15 and here talks by various speakers has started. I shall stop here now.

Hare Krishna!

17 March 2024
Nawadwip Mandal Parikrama
Speaker: HG Istadev prabhu

HG Padmamali prabhu: Hare Krsna. For the past one week we have been getting darshan from different places of Sri Navadwip Dham by various senior devotees. As you all heard that Sri Nitai Gaura Sundar have appeared in Jhansi. It is a place dear to Srila Prabhupada.

HG Istadev prabhu: So yesterday night we spent in Madhyadwip. Godrumadwip and Madhyadwip are on the southern banks of River Ganges. Godrumadwip gets its name because of the pastimes with the cows that took place here. Madhyadwip gets its name because the golden complexioned Sri Gauranga appeared to the sages here during the Madhyan time (Noon).

Also, we get the darshan of Sri Hamsavahan dev here. Usually Hamsavahan is Brahma or Sarasvati. But here Hamsavahan is Shivji. Hamsavahan means one who is riding a swan. There is a place called Naimisharanya in Madhyadwip.

The main Naimisharanya is near Lucknow. Here in this Naimisharanya, Gaura Bhagavat Katha was going on. When Narada Muni informed Shiva ji about this, he felt that his vehicle, Nandi bull is too slow. So he rented Brahma’s vehicle, swan so he could arrive for the Katha sooner.

There is a beautiful temple of Hamsavahan Shiva ji here. Then there is another temple nearby which is called Pushkar. We all know that there is Pushkar tirth, which is also called Tirthraj. A Brahmin desired to go to Pushkar from Navadwip, but was unable to go.

Because of his intense desire, Pushkar tirth personified appeared to him in his dream and said that I will appear in Navadwip. He also said that the actual Pushkar is my expansion, I personally reside here in Navadwip as the Supreme Lord Gauranga is going to appear here in this age of Kali. Now we are on the way to Kurukshetra. We see that all the pilgrim places have manifested here.

dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre
samavetā yuyutsavaḥ
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva
kim akurvata sañjaya (BG 1.1)

Translation: Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O Sañjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukṣetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?

When we go further we will see meeting point of five rivers. Usually at the meeting point of rivers we do not get the darshan all the rivers. But here we get darshan of all five rivers namely Jalangi, Gomati, Alaknanda, Saraswati and Mandakini. Harihar Kshetra is here. Jagannath Puri is here. When we go to Modadrumdwip we see there Sri Sita Rama have played pastimes.

parama koruna, pahu dui jana
nitai gauracandra
saba avatara-sara siromani
kevala ananda-kanda (Param Karuna Pahu Dui Jana 1)

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.

Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the essence of all the incarnations. We know that The original Krsna appears once in 1000 Chatur Yugas that make one day of Brahma. This time he has appeared in Dwaparyuga of the 28th Chatur yuga.

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ (BG 18.66)

Translation: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

And this is the immediately following Kaliyuga. And Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu appears in this age. He calls us to his abode in his previous incarnations. But how do we go?

Apani Acari Prabhu Jivere 1

āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya
āpna vañcaka yei sei jirjane bhajāya

Translation: The Lord sets example Himself to teach the spirit souls. The one who performs nirjana bhajana simply cheats himself.

He personally came as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu to show us the path. We are walking on the highway and soon we will show you darshans of Sri Ganga Maiya soon. We are all devotees of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu (Gauranga Mahaprabhu).

(yadi) gaura nā hoito, tabe ki hoito,

kemane dharita de?
rādhāra mahimā, prema-rasa-sīmā,
jagate jānāta ke (Yadi Gaura Na Hoito 1)

Translation:  If Lord Gaura had not appeared as the yuga-avatara in this age of Kali, then what would have become of us? How could we have tolerated living? Who in this universe would have ever learned about the topmost limits of loving mellows that comprise the glory of Sri Radha?

There is worship of the five deities in the scriptures. The worshipers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas. The worshipers of Shiva are called Shaiva and the worshipers of Shakti Durga are called Shakta. Similarly the worshipers of Krsna are called Karshni. We are identified as Gaudiya Vaishnavas all over the world. We are the followers of Madhvacharya. They worship Krsna.

iṅhāra madhye rādhāra prema–‘sādhya-śiromaṇi’
yāṅhāra mahimā sarva-śāstrete vākhāni (CC Madhya 8.98)

Translation: Among the loving affairs of the gopīs,” Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa is topmost. Indeed, the glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are highly esteemed in all revealed scriptures.

We in this line of Gaudiya Vaishnavism worship Sri Krsna along with Srimati Radharani.

antaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ bahir gauraṁ
darśitāṅgādi-vaibhavam
kalau saṅkīrtanādyaiḥ sma
kṛṣṇa-caitanyam āśritāḥ (CC adi 3.81)

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.

Gaurangi – Srimati Radharani appears as Gauranga – Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Radha Rani Pranaam Mantra

tapta-kancana-gaurangi, radhe vrindavanesvari.
vrishabhanu-sute devi, pranamami hari-priye.

Translation: I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vrisabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krishna.

Krsna has instructed this in Bhagavad Gita.

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam
ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ (BG 18.65)

Translation: Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.

But then he personally came to show us. This region that I am showing is the Dharmaksetra Kurukshetra. This has been declared by Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur. Now we are going down on the banks of Sri Ganga maiya. This is the panchaveni, the meeting of five rivers. This bridge is called the Gauranga setu.

You can have darshan and mentally take a bath in the very holy meeting point of the five holy rivers. Several devotees have arrived from different parts of the world to be a part of this wonderful Navadwip mandal parikrama.

You are all so fortunate also, to be able to get darshan of all these places and all the devotees sitting at home. The nine islands of Navadwip depict the nine forms of bhakti. Simantadwip shows Sravanam. Godrumadwip shows kirtanam and Madhyadwip shows Smaranam.

nadiya-godrume nityananda mahajana
patiyache nama-hatta jibera karana (Nadiya Godrume 1)

Translation: In the land of Nadiya, on the island of Godruma, the magnanimous Lord Nityananda has opened up the Marketplace of the Holy Name, meant for the deliverance of all fallen souls.

This place gives Bhakti, the dham showers mercy on all the visitors. This is called the Audarya Dham, the most magnanimous holy place.

Now HH Radharaman Swami Maharaj will give a class here. This is the most auspicious place to sit and hear katha on the banks of meeting point of five rivers. That too from a pure devotee of the Lord.

Hare Krsna!

16 March 2024
Panihati Dham
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

We chant everyday on this zoom conference. And at this point of time 6:45 am we deliver Japa Talk. I am going to deliver today’s Japa Talk, though everyday we have different speakers lined up. We are at Panihati Dham today.

Jaya Jaya Sri Krsna Caitanya Nityananda 1
jaya jaya śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya nityānanda;
jayādvaita-candra jaya gaura bhakta vrṇda

Translation: O Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, all glories to You.  O Prabhu Nityananda, all glories to You.  O Lord Advaitacandra, all glories to You.  O devotees of Lord Gauranga, all glories to you all.

If somebody understands the principle that even Gaur Mandal is divine, then he gets residence in Vraja Bhumi.

gaurāṅgera saṅgi-gaṇe, nitya-siddha kori’ māne,
se jāy brajendra-suta-pāś
śrī-gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi, jebā jāne cintāmaṇi,
tāra hoy braja-bhūme bās (Gaurāṇgera Duṭi Pada 3)

Translation: Anyone who has understood that the associates of Lord Caitanya are eternally liberated souls immediately becomes eligible to enter into the abode of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja in Vṛndāvana, in his next birth. If anyone understands that there is no difference between Gauḍa-maṇḍala, the place in West Bengal wherein Lord Caitanya had His pastimes, and the transcendental abode of Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma, then he actually lives in Vṛndāvana.

This Abode is Sat Cit Ananda. All Glories to Panihati Dham! It’s a part of Gaur Mandal or Kolkata. Do visit this place sometime in the future. It’s situated at the bank of River Ganga in Kolkata. I can see Mother Ganga and currently we are sitting at Gauranga Ghat. Nearby is Danda Mohatsav pond where Lord Nityananda and his associates celebrated a grand yogurt chipped rice festival. Also here is the house of Raghav Pandita and Damyanti. She would cook different preparations for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In 1976, Srila Prabhupada visited this place. He had selected land for establishing an ISKCON temple, but somehow we didn’t get that land. Later on HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj started visiting this place and gradually HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj has written a book named, Glorious Pastimes at Panihati Dham.

He has given a brief description of the different pastimes which have taken place here. He writes here we have Raghav Pandita’s house where Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu resides eternally. He accepts all the food offerings at their residence. Also Raghunath Dasa Goswami was delivered at this Abode. When Nityananda Prabhu executed Danda Mohatsav pastimes, Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu continues to visit Raghav Bhavan.

It is believed that in Mayapur, Mahaprabhu resides eternally to accept meals cooked by mother Saci and another place is this Raghav Pandita’s Bhavan. In Srivas Angan whenever devotees perform Kirtan, Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears. Whenever Sri Nityananda Prabhu dances, there also Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears.

(śraddhāvān jan he, śraddhāvān jan he)
prabhura ājñāy, bhāi, māgi ei bhikṣā
bolo `kṛṣṇa,’ bhajo kṛṣṇa, koro kṛṣṇa-śikṣā (Nadiya Godrume 2)

Translation: O people of faith! O people of faith! By the order of Lord Gauranga, O brothers, I beg these three requests of you: Chant “Krsna!”, worship Krsna, and teach others about Krsna.

When Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came here by boat, he landed here. And everyone heard the Lord is coming!!! Lord is coming!!! And they all were so excited to receive Lord Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu that this Ghat was named after him as Gauranga Ghat. He arrived here in 1514, on Krsna Paksha Dwadashi. The year 1515 on Ekadashi and in the year 1516, he arrived on Triyodashi.

And that’s when Nityananda Prabhu performed Danda Mohatsav pastimes. So this is a fact.

It’s the History. Lord Nityananda Prabhu was sent by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to preach in Bengal and Panihati was the first place where he arrived after receiving this instruction. Continuously for three months, Sri Nityananda Prabhu performed Kirtan and danced in the Kirtan. Not just Kirtan but they also used to play around.

They would climb up the trees and then jump from the top. All these descriptions are mentioned in Chaitanya Bhagavat. It is mentioned, once Abhiram Thakura, uprooted a huge tree, carved it into a flute and then began to play it. Some of the associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu were Dwadash Gopal, the cowherd friends of Krsna Balaram from Krsna Lila.

Once Raghunath Dasa, visited to have the darshans of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. As soon as, he offered his obeisances, a follower shouted, look Raghunath Dasa is here and he is offering obeisances. Nityananda Prabhu immediately said, You thief!! come here!! I’ll punish you, and as punishment he puts his feet on his head.

Savarana-sri-gaura-pada-padme 3
ha ha prabhu nityananda, premananda sukhi
kripabalokana koro ami boro duhkhi

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

This was just the beginning. He then said, you are very rich. As a punishment you should feed my associates with Yogurt and chipped rice. He was actually very rich. Soon thousands of people gathered around for the feast. It was so crowded that some people even entered the River Ganges, they were drowning till their neck in water. Still they were eating. All the people present there, experienced as if they were transported from Nabadwip to Vrindavan dham.

The river was Yamuna and all the people present there were Vraja vasis. Even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared there. Nityananda Prabhu would take some dahi cida and throw it in the air. Nobody could see Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, but they could observe that the Dahi Cida which Nityananda Prabhu was throwing is not falling on the ground, instead it’s being eaten by someone in the air itself. Raghunath Dasa, was very much grieved at this point of time. He wanted to join the Hare Krsna movement and associate with Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

And through this Danda Mohatsav, Nityananda Prabhu blessed Raghunath Dasa. And now he could successfully run away from his home, breaking all the clutches. Through this we can understand, without the mercy of Sri Nityananda Prabhu one cannot attain Radha and Krsna.

Nitai Pada Kamala 1

nitāi-pada-kamala, koṭi-candra-suśītala
je chāyāy jagata jurāy
heno nitāi bine bhāi, rādhā-kṛṣṇa pāite nāi
dṛḍha kori’ dharo nitāir pāy

Translation: The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda. Unless one takes shelter under the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha-Krsna. If one actually wants to enter into the dancing party of Radha-Krsna, he must firmly catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya: “Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is a combination of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.”

Also we can understand, in our case, we cannot attain Krsna without the mercy of our spiritual master. We can also pray for such mercy at this Panihati Gram. You all can also come and visit this place, all the faithful listeners. ISKCON Panihati is trying to renovate or revive the glories of Panihati Gram.

nadīyā-godrume nityānanda mahājana
patiyāche nām-haṭṭa jīvera kāraṇa (Nadiya Godrume 1)

TRANSLATION: In the land of Nadiya, on the island of Godruma, the magnanimous Lord Nityananda has opened up the Marketplace of the Holy Name, meant for the deliverance of all fallen souls.

Nityananda Prabhu established Namahatta to deliver the fallen souls of this world. Similarly Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON society, which is nothing but Namahatta. It’s like the Super market of the Holy name.

krsna-nama-sudha koriya pan,
jurao bhakativinoda-pran,
nama bina kichu nahiko aro,
caudda-bhuvana-majhe (Arunodaya-kirtana 8)

Translation: Drink the pure nectar of the holy name. There is nothing but the name to be had in the fourteen worlds. It has filled the soul of Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

This market has only one commodity to be sold out and that is the Holy name.

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā (CC Madhya 6.242)

Translation: In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.

Because this Holy name is Lord Hari Himself.

chintamani prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vriksha-
laksavriteshu surabhir abhipalayantam
lakshmi-sahasra-shata- sambhrama-sevyamanam
govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami (BS 5.29)

Translation: I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor who is tending the cows, yielding all desire, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakshmis or gopis.

See how valuable Krsna is. Srila Prabhupada has propagated the same movement which was once initiated by Nityananda Prabhu.

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.

In this song, Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakura Prabhupada says (śraddhāvān jan he, śraddhāvān jan he). This is an announcement for all the faithful people of the world.

I am making this announcement on behalf of Sri Nityananda Prabhu or Srila Prabhupada or on behalf of HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj. Please visit this place. This is a gateway to Sri Mayapur Dham.

When we go to Mayapur from the Airport, we pass through this place. We continue to have different festivals at this place and the biggest festival we have here is Dahi cida Mohatsav.

It’s a five day celebration. You can come, have Kirtan, dance and feast. Also you can take the holy dip in River Ganga. We shall stop now.

Japa Talk : 15 March, 2024
Speaker: H. G. Acharya Dasa
Theme: Sri Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama

Sub Theme: Introduction

These are the deities of the Parikrama known as “Gaur Nitai”. These deities accompany us – for the All India Parikrama. We perform Their shringar and Mangal Arti.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!

We are facing some network issues here.

Theme: Island I “Sri Antardwipa”

In Vrindavan, when we perform the 84 kosi Parikrama, there are 12 forests. Similarly, Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikram has 9 islands. We have covered 4 islands so far. The first day we were at Sri Antardwipa – where our ISKCON Mayapur Temple is situated.

From there we went to Koladvipa, then reached Rudradwipa. Yesterday, we were at Simantadwipa.

Today we are heading towards Godrumadwipa.

Each of the islands (dwipas) has its different glories.

Yesterday, H. H. Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj mentioned that at Antardwipa the internal or confidential conversations takes place.

We have heard the pastimes of Brahmaji in Vraja. He had stolen the calves and he thought that Lord Kṛṣṇa was an ordinary person. Hence, in order to test the Supreme Lord, Brahmaji performed this pastime.

Lord faced some inconvenience or anxiety. Brahmaji performed an offence at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. Brahmaji is the – first living being and he too committed an offence. Brahmaji is not an ordinary living being. He begged forgiveness from the Supreme Lord.

After this pastime, in Dwarpar yuga, Brahmaji begged the Supreme Lord that when I descend in Kali yuga. I will be born in a low caste family, not in an aristocratic family. I donot want any type of false ego or arrogance within me. Hence Brahmaji was born in an Islamic family. He performed a lot of bhajans and he was beaten also. Haridasa Thakura faced many difficulties in his life. He had an intense inner desire to serve the Lord. Hence the island is known as Antardwipa. He performed a lot of bhajans at Antardwipa.

Theme: Island II “Sri Simantadwipa”

Simantini Devi is Goddess Parvati. She is like a guardian goddess. Goddess Parvati is not an ordinary person.

In Odisha, Bihar and Bengal matajis apply kunkum on their hair partings. (It is red in colour). This is known as Simanta. Goddess Parvati applied kumkuma on her head by taking – the kumkuma from the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Hence, this island is known as Simantadwipa. We stayed at this island yesterday.

Earlier during the – time of Srila Prabhupada – we visited the islands by bus and returned the same day. Now, due to the causeless mercy of our beloved Gurumaharaj, he has created a system by which we can stay one day at each island.

Earlier we used to return to Mayapur the same day, hence we were not able to experience the required joy and happiness. Due to the causeless mercy of Gurumaharaj the devotees can now walk – and stay at each island.

Yesterday we stayed at Simantadwipa. During the night we halted at Rajapur Jagannath Temple. Yesterday, H. H. Bhakti Purushottam Swami was there with us. He told us that Simantadwipa is a combination of two dhamas namely : Navdvipa and Sri Jagannath Puri.

Sub-Theme: History of Jagannatha temple at Simantadvipa

There was a devotee named Ganguli. He would often visit Jagannath Puri  – later when he was old, he could not visit Jagannath Puri. Even Lord Jagannath cannot stay without taking the darshan of his devotees and the devotees also cannot stay without the darshan of Lord Jagannathji. When he was old – he desired to give up his body. Lord Jagannathji appeared in his dream and told him – “Please do not worry. Please go to the Ganges tomorrow to take a bath and I will come as a log of wood. You please take it and carve dieties out of it. I will take your darshan in the form of these dieties and will accept your devotional service.”

This pastime is similar to the pastime which had taken place earlier at Jagannath Puri. At the break of dawn Jagadish woke from his dream and marveled at it. Eagerly he readied himself for his daily bath. A log of wood touched his leg. Enlivened by the Lord’s shower of mercy, he took the log and quickly proceeded towards the nearby village. After many hours, an exhausted Jagadish found the leper carpenter, who flatly refused to carve the Deity.

He showed his deformed fingers and asked his expectant customer, “How is it possible for me to carve the divine form of the Lord with these hands?” An intense exchange followed, each devotee speaking his mind. Finally, the leper agreed to carve Lord Jagannatha.

The process of Nabakalebaram takes place at Jagannath Puri, but such a process doesnot take place at Simantadwipa.

You can take darshan of the deities, they are 500 years old. The deities have not been changed here since then. They are as it is. They performed devotional services for some years and then it was neglected.

Since, inception the deities of Jagannathji were kept below a peepal tree in Rajapur. The deities are 500 years old. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has taken darshan of these dieties. These deities were kept below the soil for some months. But it did not develop any cracks. Taking darshan of these deities one gets the same benefit of seeing or taking the darshan of Lord Jagannathji at Puri.

We stayed at this place and Maharaji (H. H. Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj) shared many pastimes. There was a Hindu auto driver and many Muslims. The Hindu driver gave Prasadam to the Muslims. They refused and threw it away. They made fun of the Prasadam.

They went home and slept. Inspite of they being Muslims – Lord Jagannathji appeared in their dreams. Jagannathji did not beat him, but Baladevaji beat him. Subhadra told – “You threw the remnants of my brother. Beat him more”.

Next day early morning he came with ingredients like various kinds of dal, rice, vegetables and he requested the pujari to offer it to the Lord and give him the Prasadam. Pujari told yesterday you threw the prasadam and now you are asking for prasadam. Please go away.

He told the pujari – “Please hear me. Yesterday, night your Supreme Lord who is black in color had come in my dreams alongwith the ones in white and yellow. The one in white beat me a lot. The yellow one said – “Beat him more. He refused my brother’s prasadam. But the black one said – please do not beat him”. Pujari said I am practicing devotional service and am a sanyasi since the last 35 years. But Lord has never come in my dreams.

Lord appeared in the dreams of a Muslim person and being merciful towards Him Lord beat him. This is the pastime of Jagannathji. He is present now also.

Earlier this place was not under ISKCON. Once the deities ran from here to the Radha Madhav temple. These deities appeared in the dream of a pujari and told them – please give us to the devotees of ISKCON. Now the devotees of ISKCON perform – the devotional service here.

Now, we have crossed the Simantadvipa and reached the Jalangi river. Jalangi river has triveni sangam.

Theme: Island II “Sri Godrumadwipa” –Story of Suvarna Sen

We have crossed Jalangi river and are proceeding towards Godrumadwipa. Suvarna Bihar is the palace ruins of a Satya-yuga King named Suvarna Sen. He remained absorbed in acquiring material wealth. He was the king of Navadwipa dham and not an ordinary king. We see in the pastime of Jagannath Puri – the king who was a devotee was such a big king. By his good fortune, Narad Muni appeared before him and instructed him the science of Bhakti Yoga. Narad Muni explainedto Suvarna Sen how fortunate he was as he had his kingdom in Navadvipa dham. The eternal abode of Lord Gauranga. Lord’s name is very compassionate and merciful. When one chants Lord Gauranga’s name He personally appear before them. Narad Muni also informed him that Lord Kṛṣṇa would descend as Lord Gauranga and perform His pastimes at Navadwipa – at the beginning of Kali-yuga and he further said that “You will appear in Kali-yuga and your name shall be Buddhimanta Khan.

After Satya yuga, treta yuga and dwapar yuga, Suvarna Sen appeared as King Buddhimanta Raja here.

In the pastime of Lord Gauranga, Buddhimanta Khan was one of his intimate associates. He had borne the entire expenses for Mahaprabhu’s marriage with Vishnupriya Devi.

Please read Chaitanya Charitamrita to understand how Buddhimanta Khan served and pleased Mahaprabhu.

Suvarna Sen had built a temple of Gauranga Mahaprabhu in Satya yuga. One can see this residue of this temple while doing the Nabadvipa Mandal parikrama.

Sub-Theme: History of Narsimha Temple at Narsimha Palli (Mayapur)

We will reach this place in the next half an hour and take the darshan of Their Lordships and from there we will go to Narsimha Palli Temple. We had taken our Pada yatra some days back to this temple with Gurumaharaj. We had walked 25 km by foot as we donot use boats when we are on Pada Yatra. Deity of Lord Narsimhadeva at Narsimha Palli temple dates back to Satya-yuga. It was here at Narsimha Palli, in the waters of Mandakini river that Lord Narsimha deva had washed his hands stained with Hiranyakashipu’s blood in Satya yuga.

Knowing that Lord Narsimha Deva had come to take rest here, all the demigods headed by Brahmaji set up their residences here and engaged themselves in the loving service of the Lord.

Date: 14^th March 2024
Speaker: HG Aacharya Prabhuji
Theme: NavadvipMandal Parikrama

Hare Krsna! Today is the 3^rd day of Navadvip Mandal parikrama. Yesterday Parikrama was in Rudra Dvipa. Now we are going to SimantaDvipa. Just now we passed MegherChara. Now also here it is cloudy, but it is not raining. But CaitanyaMahaprabhu was doing kirtan in Navadvip, and very heavy rain started. Devotees were having trouble. Everyone was wet. So, CaitanyaMahaprabhu made everyone to perform loud kirtan. And Mahaprabhu played Karatal loudly and by that karatal sound all clouds dispersed. Thus, He saved all devotees and rain fell at some other place. We just had darsan of that place.

Sub theme- ‘Chand Kazi’ pastime

Almost 1500 devotees are walking in parikrama. And this road goes to our ISKCON’s Jagannath temple. Few steps from here is Chanda Kazi samadhi. Chanda Kazi stopped sankirtanof CaitanyaMahaprabhu.There used to be a lot of kirtan in Mayapur. Wherever you will go there would be NamaSankirtan.But those who were against Vaisnavs, they told Chand Kazi that these people are chanting the name of Hari at almost every place. They can do theirworship at home. Because of their loud kirtan, we are not able to sleep in the night.Like this they complainedto Chand Kazi. Chand Kazi came and stopped Sankirtan. And he also broke mrdangasof some devotees.

So, we are going to move ahead after having darsan of Chand Kazi Samadhi. Now also we can see that broken mrdanga in SrivasAngan. SrivasAngan and Chand Kazi samadhi is not far from each other. This iswhere devotees used to do kirtan. So, Chand Kazi stopped sankirtan.Then Mahaprabhu in his dream took the form of Narsimha and sat on his chest. Mahaprabhu scratched him with His nails. Chandkaziwas very frightened.Mahaprabhu (Narasimha) said,‘this is My sankirtan movement. This time I am forgiving you, but if you will stop this sankirtan again, then I will not leave you. I will tear open your chest.’Chand Kazi was very frightened. When he woke up, he saw nail marks on his body. Like this Chand Kazi pastime took place here.

Even before this incident, Chanda Kazi had tried to stop sankirtan a couple of times.CaitanyaMahaprabhu hadmore devotees than the number of devotees present right now here. So many devotees used to come in Sankirtan. So, in the protest,Mahaprabhuand devotees in great number came to Chand Kazi’s house while performing loud sankirtan. They were holding fire torch in their hands. It seemed as if they will burn the house of Chanda Kazi. But at that time Chand Kazi said,I will not stop thisSankirtanmovement and I will tell to my descendants that this Sankirtanshould never be stopped. Now in Mayapur if we will do sankirtan at other places, Muslims oppose. But if we do sankirtanin Mayapur, then there is no problem.

Sub theme- Pastimes which took place at Rudra Dvipa

Yesterday Guru Maharaj came to parikrama. We were in Rudra dvipa. At that place the pastime of Pancha-mukhi Shiva took place. And many Acaryas had come there, Ramanucharya, Shankaracharya, Nimbarkacarya. And if one spends three nights in Navadvip, he gets the benefit of visiting all the holy places of the entireuniverse.And if one does austerities or perform sadhana in Rudra Dvipa, he gets thousand folds spiritual benefits. This is mentioned in the scriptures.

Yesterday Guru Maharaj wasmentioning various names of Shiva Parvati, like Rudra Rudrani, Bhava Bhavani, Shiva Shivani etc. So, in Rudra DvipaNimbarkacarya performed austerities for many days. For 11 days he worshiped Lord Shiva by offering Bel leaf and Gangawater. Shivaji was very pleased and by his blessing Nimbarkacarya had darsan of Chatus-Kumar.Chatus-Kumar were nakedand they used to perform austerities in the form of small children.Then by the mercy of Nimbarkacaryaeveryone haddarsan of Radha Krsna and later on haddarsan of GaurangaMahaprabhu at same place. 800 yearsago,Mahaprabhu appeared before Nimbarkacaraya and said, ‘See, I am the combined form of Radha and Krsna and I have appeared in the form of Mahaprabhu.’ Mahaprabhu gave him darsan first in the form of Radha Krsna and then in the form of CaitanyaMahaprabhu. He told that, in Kaliyuga there will be sankirtan everywhere. When Mahaprabhu disappeared,Nimbarkacarya felt deep sorrow. He started to cry. So, to pacify himMahaprabhu appeared again and said, ‘you do not worry. I will come in Kaliyuga and that time you can see Me once again.’

Then in KaliyugaNimbarkacaryacame in the form of KesavaKasmiri.And he used to defeat everyone. Then he had debate with Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhudefeated him. Nimbarkacaryaas KesavaKasmiri was a learned pandit. He defeated everyone else, butMahaprabhu defeated him.KesavaKasmiri became very happy, and then he became a devotee of Mahaprabhu.

So, now you are havingdarsan of Chand Kazi’s samadhi. So Mahaprabhushowered His mercy on Chanda Kazi and he became a devotee. He was born in a Muslim family, but by the mercy of Mahaprabhu, everyone can become devotee of the Lord.

kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
ābhīra-śumbhāyavanāḥkhasādayaḥ
ye ’nye ca pāpāyad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
śudhyantitasmaiprabhaviṣṇavenamaḥ

Translation-

Kirāta, Hūṇa, Āndhra, Pulinda, Pulkaśa, Ābhīra, Śumbha, Yavana, members of the Khasa races and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him. [ŚB 2.4.18]

Chanda Kazi was none other than Kamsa, uncle of Krsna.Mahaprabhu took the form of Narasimha (and came in the dream of Chanda Kazi) and along with thousands of people He came to Chanda Kazi’s home. That time Chanda Kazi said, ‘I am your uncle’.

So, we are at his Samadhi. There is only one door. Devotees are taking darsan and doing parikrama. Here is a very old tree.Devotees are also moving ahead after having darsan and offering obeisances.  From here we will go to Srinivas Angan. There Chand Kazi had broken Mridanga.

Yesterday also it was told, come and do this Navadvip Mandal parikrama. It is very blissful. We do picnics, but that do not give us spiritual bliss. Here we get association and darsan of so many pure devotees, anddarsan of Ganga. Ganga flows from Gomukha, Gangotri to Ganga Sagar, and wherever you take bath in Ganga, she will give salvation, but here in Mayapur, if someone takes bath in Ganga, she gives devotion. When Guru Maharaj came inNavadvip, he was telling that, everywhere there is Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, but here is PanchVeni, five rivers come together.

Sub theme- Nimai leaving home and Nidaya village

So, at SrivasAnganCaitanyaMahaprabhu,AdvaitaAcaryaand other devotees used to do Kirtan. And Visvaroop used to come here and do a lot of Katha Kirtan with Advaita Acarya. And later He left to take Sannyas. After His sannyasa, (after few years) Nimai took sannyasa. Before RudraDvipa there was one village namedas Nirdaya. CaitanyaMahaprabhu ran away from His home at night without telling anyone, except four or five people. SoHe went at night through this way. Sachimata asked many devotees in this village, ‘have you seen Nimai?’ Many people said that He is going to take sannyasa. Guru Maharaj was also calling, ‘Nimai, Nimai!’ Sachi Mata was running and falling down, again she was getting up and running, calling loudly ‘NimaiNimai! Where are you Nimai?’ She asks everyone, ‘have you seen Nimai?’ People were saying, ‘No we haven’t seen Him.’ She was asking even to trees and animals. No one was giving any reply. Therefore, she said the people of this village are very cruel, nirdayi, they do not have hearts. That’s why that village became Nirdaya.So, in the month of Magha, on the day of Makar Sankranti, Nimaitook Sannyas. This is very cool river. Specially in winter waster is icy cool. Swimming in such cold water CaitanyaMahaprabhu went to Katawa. So we had darsan of Nirdaya, Nidaya village.

Sub theme- Bhakti SiddhantaSaraswati Thakur and CaitanyaGaudiyaMatha

YadiPrabhupadnahoite tokyahoito, yadiBhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj nahoite to kyahoitomeans ifBhakti Siddhant SaraswatiMaharaj would not be there, then there wouldn’t beSrilaPrabhupada, and if Prabhupada wouldn’t be there then we wouldalso not be there.Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj was a pure devotee. He established 64 GaudiyaMathas. Still, he sat at one place and chanted Sata-kotiHoly names. He was not much interested in eating.He used to eat only in one leaf bowl.Just likeHaridas Thakur he chanted Holy name to teach us that no matter how big devotee you are, you must haveto chant the holy name.

So, after 5 minuteswe will reach to CaitanyaGaudiyaMatha, the first matha established by Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj. There you can understand that there is no difference between Mayapur and Navadvipa.There at CaitanyaGaudiyaMatha we will have darsan of beautiful Deities, GandharvikaGiridhari.Just beside that he established Radhakund and Shyamakund. There is no difference betweenRadhakund and Shyamakundof Vrindavan and Mayapur. They are one and same. He also established Govardhan here.Then thereis even the samadhi of his spiritual master, Sri Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj. Many people were saying that Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj is my spiritual master. I will give him Samadhi. But Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj said, ‘no’. This is a big pastime. So, therewe can have darsan of his Samadhi as well.

Sub Theme- Murari Gupta

Then moving ahead, we will have darsan of Murari Gupta. He is Hanuman. We have heard many times from Guru Maharaj’s lotus mouth that in the Mahaprakashlila, Lord Mahaprabhu showed that Murari Gupta is Hanuman. Hanuman is a devotee of Lord Rama.So Murari Gupta had intense love for Lord Rama, but we are GaudiyaVaisnavas.So Mahaprabhu was saying, ‘devotion to Krsna is superior. If we chant one time ‘Krsna’ then it gives the result of chanting three times ‘Rama’.So,you worship Krsna.’He had faith in this, and many times he thought to have devotion forKrsna, but from inside he had a devotional feeling for LordRama. So500 years ago, Hanumanjiappeared in the form of Murari Gupta.

Sometimes Murari Gupta used to say Mayavadiphilosophy, everything is one, like that. One-timeMurari Gupta was having prasada.Atma and Paramtma are not one. They have difference. So, he was having prasad. Nimai was very small. Krsnawas very naughty, similarly Mahaprabhualso, there is no difference between Mahaprabhuand Krsna. Nimai was small child. He urinated in the plate of Murari Gupta.And He said, ‘there is no difference between prasad and urine.’ So, like this to explain that everything is not one, and Lord and the devotee are different, He played this pastime.

There you will not see the Deity of Radha Krsna, as Murari Gupta was devotee of Lord Rama. So we will have darsan of Rama Sita Laxman and Hanuman. Now, here is the house of AvadhutNitaiPrabhu, ourGodbrother. He lives in Mayapur. There, all the chariots of our Padayatras are constructed.

Here we can see CaitanyaGaudiyaMatha of Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj. This year was the 150th birthday of Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj. So,they put a huge pandal here. Many Sanyasis, Gurus of various Gaudiyamathas, and many of ISKCON senior devotees and sannyasis also came here. So, in the alter we can have darsan of GandharvikaGiridari.And then in the temple we can have darsan of many Acharyas, and also acharyas of the four sampradayas. So, this is gate number 2 of CaitanyaGaudiyamatha. Inside the matha there is Rahakund, Shyamakund and Giriraj Govardhan. The guru of Bhakti Siddhant SaraswatiMaharaj, Gaur Kishore Das Babaji Maharaj said, ‘you never go to Kolkata, because Cities are filled with mode of passion. Villages are in mode of Goodness.’So Bhakti SiddhantaSaraswati Thakur used to live in Kolkata for very few days. In these few days, he established GaudiyaMatha at places like UltaDhanga. A pure devotee of Lord has no influence of mode of passion on him. Maya cannot touch him. Bhakti Siddhant Maharaj spent most of his time here in CaitanyaGaudiyamatha.

There are many more pastimes. You can read CaitanyaCaritamrta and Caitanya Bhagavat written by Vrindavan Das Thakur.Yesterday Guru Maharaj came and did lot of kirtan and described Mahaprabhu’s intimatepastimes. Back there is sankirtan party and many of these sankirtan devotees are from Mayapur.And if there is any bird or kite or animal then it is not an ordinary animal. It is a devotee of Lord. This land became sacred by the dust from the lotus feet of Bhakti Siddhant SaraswatiMaharaj and Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Maharaj. Mahaprabhu also used to come many times here and it is called MausirBadi.CaitanyaMahaprabhu’s mother was Sachi Mata and here was Sachi Mata’s sister. Now I forgot the name which was told by IstadevaPrabhuin the morning. Chandrashekhar Acarya was her husband’s name. So Mahaprabhu’s birth place is half a kilometer from here and here is house of Mahaprabhu’s aunt, Mausirbadi, house of aunt. Here Mahaprabhuused to come and had many pastimes. There is samadhi temple of Bhakti Siddhant SaraswatiMaharaj. This is Shyamakund. You can do manasikacamana. Thereis Radhakund.CaitanyaGaudiyaMatha was the first mathaestablished by Bhakti SiddhantaSaraswati Thakur. Here is GandharvikaGiridhari.You also have darshan of the Lord, while sitting at your homes. You will be very happy and will get the same benefit. Now we are taking darsan of Gaur Kishor DasBabajiMaharaj’s samadhi stali. So here we have Shyamakund and Radhakund. Wherever devotees of Lord go, Dhama manifests there.This is such a divine pastime place.

Here we can see diorama. Bhakti Siddhant SaraswatiMaharaj made such dioramas and preached to many people. Thesedioramas do work of 1000 words. We can see many pastimes here.So, from here Parikram will go to SrivasAngan, CaitanyaMahaprabhu’s birth place, andthen to the Sripat ofMurari Gupta. Then Parikrama will come back here. Here we will have katha.Many sannyasis come here. Many times, Guru Maharaj also came here. Today Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj and many other senior devotees will come. There will be katha and kirtan.

Sub theme- Kolavecha Shridhar

After that we will go to Kolavecha Shridhar. He had no material wealth, but he had spiritual wealth. He had great devotion for GaurangaMahaprabhu. His business was selling banana flower and leaves.Now we eat in plastic plates and varieties of plates, but in those days, people used to eat only on banana leaf plates. He used to collect banana leaves from garden, but it was also not his own garden. He used to sell plates and bowls made of banana leaves. He used to earn very little from it. Yet half of that money he was using in the service of Ganga and the other half was used for personal expenses. The house was like the hut ofSudama. Just as he had nothing, Shridhar had no food or clothes.Yet Mahaprabhu used to go to see him every day and would say, you are very rich, I need some leaf bowls. The price of leaf bowl was two paisa.Mahaprabhu used to say, you are asking a lot. At other places it is cheaper. You are earning more. Reality was Shridhar was selling things on very cheap rates. Yet Mahaprabhu used to say, you are asking more. So Shridhar used to say, if you want,then take it, otherwise take from another place.But Mahaprabhu used to say, no, I want to take from you only, but reduce your rate. Forcefully Mahapuru used to give less money and sometimes He didn’t even give money. Externally Shridhar was getting angry, but internally he used to love Mahaprabhu. He enjoyed these dealing with Nimai. Every day Mahaprabhu used to go to his place and sit near Shridhar.Shridhar had only one old vessel and he used to cook food in it. The sun and moon could be seen from the roof of the house, such was his roof, full of holes. But he used to do loud kirtan. People used to say,‘he is hungry. He has nothing to eat, that’s why he shouts so loudly.’No one can remain hungry in the dhamaof the Lord. A person who eats four rotis gets two rotis, but no one remains hungry. Mahaprabhu loved him very much. When Mahaprabhu was going to take sannyasa, every person gave Mahaprabhusome gift.On that same day, Shridhar brought pumpkin, here they call Kumara.Mahaprabhu accepted everyone’s gift, but the greatest gift was Shridhar’s pumpkin. Last sabjiMahaprabhu ate before His sannyasa, made by the hands of Sachi Mata was this Kumara sabji.

So, I was not prepared to give Japa Talk. IstadevaPrabhuwas supposed to speak. But he is busy in management so he asked me to talk. Whatever came in my mind, I told you.You should come to this Dham. It is very purifying. You should place Dham in your heart. This Navadvipa Dham is a very merciful, audaryadham. Dwarka Dham is AiswaryaDham. It was the city of gold. Even today we can see that in Dwarka and Gujarat, but in Vrindavan there is Madhurya Bhava. Madhuryalilagunarupanamnam!Brajavasis, especially Gopis, worship Lord in Madhurya bhava.Navadvip Dham is audaryadham, means very magnanimous, merciful dham. If someone sleeps in Navadvip Dham, then it is considered as offeringobeisances. Yesterday, Guru Maharaj was telling,if you will do Parikramaof the entire universe, then how many births you will have to take. But if you will do Navadvipa Mandal parikrama, then you will get the result of Parikramaof the entire universe. Guru Maharaj has greatly blessed us.First Parikrama was done by NityanandaPrabhu and Jiva Goswami,but later it was discontinued. Later BhaktiVinod Thakur wanted this Parikrama to start again. It is written in the Navadvip Mandal mahatyma. Many things are told about this Parikrama. He told three things, one is to start the Namahatta, preaching centers, second is doing Navadvip Mandal parikrama, and third is to perform sankirtan. Soanyone who does this Navadvip Mandal parikrama or spends even a day or a night in Navadvipa, he attains love of Krsnavery easily, which is very difficult to obtain even by Brahma. Such is this transcendentalDham. You come here at least once in your lifetime.

I also had no idea who is Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna, who is Radha Rani,NityanandPrabhu, I knew nothing. I just chanted the holy name in my village and reached in Dham, Navadvip Dham, Vrindavan Dham. So, if you chant the holy name seriously, then the Holy namewill take you to Dham. There are lots of pastimes. The association of the devotees is –

sādhu saṅga sādhu saṅga sarva śāstra kaya
lavamātra sādhu saṅge sarva siddhi haya

Translation-

The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.[Cc. Madhya 22.54]

As soon as you come here, no need to prepare prasad in the kitchen, do marketing, and so many things are there. But come here, just doparikramaand have very nice prasad, listen to the katha. There are three things to do, to come to the Dham, to do Parikrama and to have Prasad, to listen to the katha, to take the name of Lord.

Here we see Giriraj. Bhakti SiddhantSaraswati Maharaj has established. It takes 7-8 hours todo Parikramaof GirirajGovardhan, but here it takes only 2 minutes for theparikramaofGiriraj. Giriraj Parikrama’s benefityou receive immediately in Navadvipa. We go to the temple of Radha Damodarand do four parikramas, and get result of Girirajparikrama. Giriraj was given to Sanatan Goswami, as he became old and was not giving up doing parikrama of Giriraj.Then Lord Sri Krsna placed His feet on the shila of Giriraj and made the sign of flute, and gave that shila to SanatanGosvami. By doing four parikramas of that Shila, we get result of one complete Giriraj parikrama.Here BhaktiSiddhantaSaraswati Maharaj Ji mercifully has revealed this place.

Thank you. First please forgive me. IstadevPrabhu was about to speak, but he was very busy. Arrangements for 1500 people’s accommodation and Prasadam, arrangements for the speakers, and so many things. That is why he asked me to talk. Definitely there weremistakes in my talk, please forgive me for that. Hare Krsna!

Date: 13 March 2024
Speaker: HG Tulsi Vallabh Prabhu Ji
Topic: Importance of learning Sanskrit.
HG Tulsi Vallabh Prabhu Ji:

I want to welcome all of you. By the mercy of Guru Maharaj, I want to inform you all that I am working on the project of Gurukul from past four years. We used to live in Vrindavan and we are going to open a gurukul on the bank of Yamuna River shortly. We will teach Sanskrit to the
children. Because by learning in Sanskrit one becomes civilized. Maharshi Panini has said:

sarvesam bhasanam janani sanakritameva

Sanskrit is the mother of all language. By speaking in Sanskrit, one becomes civilized. We were going with Guru Maharaj in Japa Walk. It is the desire of Guru Maharaj to help others learn Sanskrit. Gurumaharaj himself speaks in Sanskrit to people like me who speak Sanskrit. He dids, so that scholar can be progress.

Idanim asmakam gurukulasya vishye kinchit vartalapam prachalati Agre vayam gurukulam sthapyamah vrindavane kutrchit
There is some conversation going on about our Gurukula right now. Next, we will establish a Gurukula somewhere in Vrindavan.

Visheshu Sarvatreshu faleshu sanskritsya samprasaranam kuru
evam shastranam pracharanam prasarnam kuru

Spread the subject matter of Sanskrit and preaching of the scriptures everywhere in this
world. This is the instruction of Guru Maharaj.

I want to discuss the project of Gurukula with all of you. Its name will be ‘Harinilyam’. It will be in Sri Dham Vrindavan. Many academic peoples are connected in that Gurukul. Mainly, I will be teaching at this school in collabration with National Open School. We will be conducted the ‘Gurukulam curriculum’ Subject matter, that is given by National Open School. I want to tell to the guardian especially and I request them to note down all the points. I will also provide my mobile no. in the end. There will be two Curricular activities. There will be general subjects, like history, geography, Mathematics, English etc and 2 hrs of Sanskrit, Sanskrit Grammer and recitation of shastras. And another course will be ‘Gurukulam Curriculum’ which is strictly based on Sanskrit education which includes Shastras and Vedas.

There will be the education scheme like inter, Graduation and postgraduation exactly provided by other Sanskrit Universities. There are many aids and projects of the central government to pursue higher education in Sanskrit. There are a lot of opportunities to pursue the higher
education in Sanskrit at a very nominal cost. Our entire syllabus will be in Sanskrit. There will be the second categories of students who will choose Sanskrit further and they can also keep a subject like computer science, Hindi and mathematics as an optional subject. English, Hindi
and Sanskrit will be the main languages. Our entire syllabus will be in Sanskrit.

Tatra asmakam gurukule sarve chhatrah sanskritenev vartalapam karishye There, in our Gurukul. All the students will converse in Sanskrit. Everyone will speak in Sanskrit in school premises which children pick up very fast. yaya bhasyate sa bhasa, In which we can talk is Language. Children adapt easily. So, we will teach and converse with them in Sanskrit only. They will be our future and they will nourish our culture.

There is also a video of Srila Prabhupada where Srila Prabhupada was teaching the Sanskrit alphabets on a chalk board to his western disciples in Krishna Balaram Temple, under the Tamal tree in the courtyard. There is video of it on Youtube. It was his intense desire to teach Sanskrit. He has translated bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, many poems’ forms in prose form hence simplifying it. Puranas and Upanishad are in Poetry form. This is not an easy task to understand the matter in poetry form in Sanskrit for a normal person. Because there issubject, object and verbs are in different places. To simplifying it, they are translated in prose form. We say a sentence ‘ Shushk taru var purut viraje’. This is in the poetry form. The same sentence in prose form will be: Mam grihasya samukkhe puratah shushkah vrikshah virajate.

There is a dry tree in front of my house. This is understandable for all. We will teach this to the children. You can give any shloka from our scripture like, Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sakndha Puran, Vishnu Puran, they will translate it in prose form very easily. When children will learn grammar, they will be able to do all this. They can teach and peach others and there will be self-benefit as well.

I have been engaged in this service 4 plus years. Guru Maharaj has a great affection with Sanskrit. Guru Maharaj always travels with Sanskrit speaker. I have travelled with him too. So, he can converse in Sanskrit. We are trying to convert the desire of Guru Maharaj in reality. So please take part in this initiative. This is not my project. This is the desire of our Guru Maharaj. I will be doing a presentation soon on this. You can see the Curriculum online on NIOS. One who will graduate from here will be able to read commentaries of Sridhar Swami and other Sanskrit books.

Srila Prabhupada Said I have split these words so that some of you can read and teach in the prose for then you will remember verses better. There will be thousands of Gurus in Iskcon. It means there can be thousands of scholar in Iskcon to preach. You should read and understand
the scriptures.

Some days ago, we were announcing the same and when I was saying that Prabhupada had a keen desire to teach Sanskrit in Iskcon. Guru Maharaj stopped me and said it is also my desire. Scriptures say that “Shishyast vijaynstat guroh bhajan vikramat”. The fame of a disciple is not
because of his own hard-work, it’s the strength of sadhna of his Spiritual Master.

Action become service when action meets with the holy name and the association of Vaishnavas. Any work done on the basis of devotion becomes successful without any effort. It is said by Srila Vyasdeva in the greatness of Srimad Bhagavatam. Narad Muni is saying to Bhakti
devi If you call then lord doesn’t hesitate to come even to fallen souls. Krishna is bound to come.

Any work can be fulfilled by the association and mercy of Vaishnavas. So, please join in this project. I want to dedicate it to him. He will be very happy, when he will see children reading and learning in Sanskrit. Chemistry, physics, these terms are 300 years old, but the terms used
in Sanskrit eternally, like the lord.

SB 2.9.33:
aham evāsam evāgre
nānyad yat sad-asat param
paścād ahaṁ yad etac ca
yo ’vaśiṣyeta so ’smy aham

Translation:

Brahmā, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead.

Krishna’s words are also eternal. I will give an example. If you will look at all the words in an encyclopaedia, there is 32 lakhs words in any language. But Sanskrit has 250 crore words. You have listened about verb. One verb has two or three meaning. One verb is ‘lay’; he is laying on the sofa and the bird is under laying. One word has different meaning. But there will be no word of Sanskrit used for two or more actions. One another word is ‘Aatma’. There are three words to describe Aatma or soul in Sanskrit; Aadhakshane, asvubhi and atibhakshane.

Without knowing Sanskrit, we cannot understand tattva deeply by only reading translations. Language has no age. Why did Srila Sanatana Goswami, Rupa Goswami and all wrote in Sanskrit whereas they belong to Bengal? If he wrote in Bengali how could Vallabha Acharya who was from Gujarat could understand. language is the representative of our emotions. Also, there are more vocabulary in Sanskrit. The word ‘Prarabdh’, it has translation in Sanskrit as Aprarabdh, Kriymand prarabdh, Sanchit prarabdh. One word has different bifurcation. We assume that children in English medium are smarter. One who is well-versed in Sanskrit can learn good English in three months. I don’t know about science, but there are in scriptures, it is told to how to make bronze metal in just two shlokas and that is with amount of proportionate of all metals.

There will be nominal cost in our Gurukul. Two meals will be provided. We will maintain basic curriculum. We have taught many children who have never been to school like home schooling. If they can prepare and appear for the 8th grade, then they will get certificate and he can study in any institution. What satisfaction I have received from studying Sanskrit is unparalleled. It increases your brain capacity. There are people who have memorised all verses of the Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita. and one who learns Sanskrit will, one day study scriptures. One who reads English read Bible. In English we learn useless rhymes, like rain! Rain! Go away!

But in Sanskrit rhymes are nothing but glorification of various deities. Sanskrit makes civilization. Teach this verse to children.
You don’t have to teach him to avoid criticism. If he sees someone criticises, then this verse will come to his mind.

Gokarn Gita:

dharmaṃ satataṃ bhajasva; loka-dharmān tyaja;
sādhupuruṣān sevasva; kāma-tṛṣṇām jahi;
anyasya doṣa-guṇa-cintanaṃ āśu muktvā,
aho sevā-kathā-rasaṃ tvam nitarāṃ piba

Always practice religious principles, abandon the religious principles of this world, and serve the saintly persons, and give up lust and craving.
Quickly stop thinking about the faults and virtues of others and constantly drink the taste of the story of Lord Viṣṇu.

There are various applications. I would be able to teach Patanjali yoga sutras to yoga students in the west just because I can read Sanskrit. I have no other learning in this fields. We will teach kids from 6 to 17 years. They can do further studies or even teach.

My name is Tulasi Vallabha Das and 8670804405 is my contact Number. Please join and support this project.
Hare Krishna!

Topic: Navadwip Mandal Parikrama Day 1
Date:  15^th March 2024
Speaker: HG IstadevPrabhuji

HG PadamaliPrabhuji:

Today we will having the Japa Talk with HG IstadevPrabhuji who is from Sri Mayapur Dham. He will discussing about various pastimes related to holy places in Nawadwip. HH Radha Raman Swami Maharaj is also present there.

Let’s hear from him.

HG IstadevPrabhuji:

My humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of my beloved Gurudev. By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Gurumaharaj we can do this Parikrama today. Today Maharaj was saying that this Parikrama started  with seventy devotees and now it has seven thousands coming up every year. HH Radha Raman Maharaj is witness to the same. Nitai Gaurasundar is also present from the beginning of this padayatra. Maharaj is saying that we have done this Parikrama thirty four times. This is the thirty fifth year of the parikrama and we have long history of this Parikrama. Nityananda Prabhu himself is the founder acharya of this Parikrama and started this Parikrama. He is the servant of the Lord and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Sevya, one who is to be worshipped. He is the one of makes us understand that how we should worship Krsna. He is the one who revealed the Dham to everyone. He was the one who started this Parikrama and as time passed it was stopped. Then Bhaktivinoda Thakur started it again. Then again it was stopped and then HH Vamsi Thakur Maharaj started it again.

So we have just reached Nandan Acharya Bhavan. This Parikrama has started from ISKCON. This Nandan Acharya Bhavan is the place where Gaur Nitai met for the first time, we know ChaitanayMahaprabhu was born here. Nityananda Prabhu appeared in Rada Desh, Ekachakra Dham and he travelled all across India at a very young age with a sannayasi. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came from Gaya after his sannayas initiation and started harinaamsankirtan, then Nityananda Prabhu knew that and went to meet him. So he stayed in the Nandan Acharya Bhavan for sometime and Nandan Acharya was a devotee Brahmin. But he couldn’t meet Mahaprabhu at that time. So Nandan Acharya  had an instruction in his dream from Mahaprabhu that a tall person has come to meet him so they all should find him. So Haridas Thakur, SrivasaPandit and all the associates wen to find Nityanand Prabhu but no one could find him. So when they couldn’t find him, then they went to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with a heavy heart that they couldn’t find him. So just like Rama wanted to meet Hanuman similarly Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to meet Nityananda Prabhu. Then Mahaprabhu said that “I will find him!” and then when we met face to face with Nityananda Prabhu just like Bharath met Lord Rama during his exile and also when Krsna and Balaram met, so similar to these instances, even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu met in the same way with Nityananda Prabhu. Both of them cried unstoppably and fell on the ground, started dancing and held each other as if they are two bodies, one soul. So ChaitanayaMahaprabhu who is Krsna and Nityananda Prabhu who is Balram himself met like two brothers.

Ishta-deveVijnapti– by Narottama Das Thakur
Vrajendra-nandanajei, saci-sutahoilo sei,
balaramahoilonitai
dina-hinajatachilo, hari-name uddharilo,
tara sakshijagaimadhai (Text 3)

Translation

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

So this is no doubt in it that Krsna only is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Balrama is Nityananda Prabhu. So, this is the first meeting place of Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu. Today the Parikrama is in Antardwip. So from there we are going to Gauradwip by boat and we will cross the Ganga river reach is western bank. Right now we are on the Eastern Bank of Ganga. In Gauradwip, we will have darshans of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the form of a boar. So here we have a darshan of a hill which is similar to Govardhan hill. There is one temple of Godamayamata  who is Paurnamasi or Yogamaya.  So in every Dham there is Dhameswar for example in Ayodhya it is Sri Rama and in Jagannath Puri, Lord Jagannath is the dhami and in Pandharpur it is Vitthal Rukmini and in Mathura Krsna is the Dhami and in the Gauradwip the dhami is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So that’s why he is known as Dhameswar Gauranga. So we will have his darshans today. This murti is very beautiful and compassionate and both his hands are in front. So this deity is the first deity that we will have darshan of in the parikrama. He was worshipped by Vishnu Priya. She is the wife of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. She disappeared quite early  and it is said that she got bitten by a snake. She was Mahaprabhu’s first wife. We know about Bhudevi and Sudevi and Lalita and Vishakha.

Then after her disappearance he married again but as we know that after his second marriage, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took sannayasa at the age of twenty four years. So sanayas ashram is the topmost of all- Brahmacharya, Grihasta and Vanprashtha ashram and to establish a rule for all the ashrams and to spread the glories of the holyname, he become a ideal devotee. Then he went to Jagannath Puri. So Vishnu Priya built a temple for worshipping Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So she used to keep a single grain everyday and whatever rounds that she used to chant she used to place that many grains in front of the Lord and she used to chant day and night and  have that much only everyday. So we will have the darshan of these deity today. After that we will go to Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj’s samadhi. So Jagannath Babaji appeared in Navadwip but later on we went to Vrindavan. So while performing his bhajan in Vrindavan he realised that he has to go back to Navadwipa and then he came back again and then he went to Back to Godhead from here. So many Sannayasis and devotees come here. He was the one who authenticated the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So he told that here only Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared.

He was called Sandhu Maharaj and Sarvabhauma so everyone use to respect him may it be Hindu, Muslim and so on. So a person who couldn’t even stand, he started dancing when we came there. He started saying that this is the birthplace of ChaitnayaMahaprabhu. So please have darshans of DhameswarMahaprabhu.  Now we will show you the darshans of  Gangamata. So both Jalanghi and Saraswati also meet here. So by the mercy of Lord Bhagirath who brought Ganga to this world, she also appeared here. So you will have darshans. So we have large land near this place. So from America, Dashrath Prabhu has come to do Parikrama and our Parikrama leaders Damodar Prabhu, Acharya Prabhu all are with us. Have darshans of Ganga Mai. Ganga Mai ki Jai. So this is the path for the ghat. So we have Security Department incharge for the Parikrama as well.  So ChaitnayaMahaprabhu used to bathe in this Ganga water. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed a lot of pastimes here. So Mahprabhu was missing Yamuna badly so Ganga said to Lord that what is my mistake? When can I serve you? So Lord said you will appear in Navadwip and then you can serve me in my audarya and madhuryadham Sri Mayapur.

So this time ten thousand devotees are doing Parikrama. So from Mayapur we are moving towards Navadwip. So DhameswarMahaprabhu deity was given by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Visnupriya. In Parikrama we will also have darshans of Jagannath Das Babaji’s samadhi. So many people from Vrindavan have also come. So we can see Nitai Gaursundar. So now we are reaching Jagannath Das Babaji’s samadhi. So he was a very renounced devotee of Lord. So he saw with his divine vision a Tulasi tree in Kamayavan in Vrindavan and he having the tulsi  leaves in Navadwip. So he was a sakshadkari and he used to eat a lot of prasadam with puppies in Vrindavan and someone drove them away. So he stopped eating and once they came back then only he started having prasadam. He was affectionate towards Dhamvasis.So  he used to never take donation like KarmakandiBrahamans and didn’t showoff his knowledge. So he used to serve cows and all other animals. He said that these are Vishnu but these Brahamans are not devotees actually. So now we will go to his birthplace tomorrow.

HG Padmamali Prabhu:

Thank you for the darshans prabhuji.

11 March 2024
Speaker: HG Anantasesa Prabhu
Theme: Disappearance day of Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj

Hare Krsna!!

As we discussed, this is a very significant day for all the Gaudīya Vaiśnavās.

Thousands of devotees have gathered here in Yogpith Mayapur, birthplace of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, to celebrate the Inauguration day of Navadvīpa Mandal Parikrama. We have many different groups like Bengali Group, Russian Group, Hindi speaking party. This place was discovered by Śrī Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj. When we worship him, we say:

gauravirbhava bhumes twam nirdesta sajjana priyah
vaisnava sarvabhauma sri jagannathaya te namah

Translation

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Jagannatha dasa Babaji Maharaja, who is respected by the entire Vaisnava community and who discovered the place where Lord Caitanya appeared.“

He was given the title Vaiśnava Sārvabhauma as a recognition for the most exalted vaiśnava or chief of the vaiśnavas in the whole Gaudiya Vaiśnava community. He was also called Siddha Baba ji. In 1764, Śrīla Bhakti Vinod Thākura founded the birthplace of Caitanya Mahāprabhu with the help of Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj. At that time, Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj was 142 years old. He was born in Mandalakar village situated at Mymensingh district of Tangail city in Bangladesh. This place is also known as Pawan Zila or district. He was born in a Kayastha family but this is not very important. As Śrīla Vrindāvana Dāsa Thākura says,

Je kule je deśe vaiśnava avatare
tāra prabhāvi lakśaya lojana nistare

The Lord sends His different associates to appear in different places so that place becomes a holy pilgrimage.

Rasik Manjari of Śrī Krsna pastime appeared as Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj in the Gaudiya Vaiśnavism. He appeared as a Prakāśa vigraha, a special associate of Śrī Krsna Caitanya Mahāprabhu and also taught the procedure to perform Rupānuga Bhakti.

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
sa kāleneha mahatā
yogo naṣṭaḥ paran-tapa

Translation

This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost. (BG 4.2)

At that time when no one knew about Gaudiya vaiśnava sampradāya or Caitanya Caritāmrta, almost 13 different Apasampradāya manifested from the lineage of Nityanand prabhu, Advaitācārya and other associates.

Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura used to follow Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj as his Siksha Guru. For 6 months, he would reside in Vraja Mandal at Surya Kunda and for another 6 months, he would reside in Navadvīpa Mandal. Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj used to worship Śrī Krsna since his childhood. This had invigorated him; due to which he had gone to Vraja Mandal. When he used to stay at Navadvīpa Dham, he accepted Pancharatri Diksha from Rāsabiharī Goswāmī and when he reached Vrindāvana, he met Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji.

Theme: Pastimes of Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji

Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji was only 12 years old when one devotee gave him Hare Krsna Mahāmantra. Since then he started chanting the holy name which later awakened his intense desire to achieve Śrī Krsna. Then he went to Vraja while criticizing himself about not knowing his Siksha Guru who gave him the holy name in his childhood. He was very depressed as he didn’t get the opportunity to serve his spiritual master and didn’t get his instructions to follow. This human birth became useless for him. He used to lament a lot staying at Kāmyavana and eventually decided to finish his life in despair. He tied a very huge Giriraj Govardhan Shila around his neck and entered into the Radha Kunda to commit suicide. Śrīmatī Radhārāni and Śrī Krsna Himself appeared and took him out of the Radha Kunda, saved him and laid him on the bank of Radha Kunda in an unconscious state. They put a taal patr in his hand mentioning the name of his Siksha Guru, his sampradāya which was Gaudīya Vaiśnava sampradāya, how to chant the holy name, and other important things. He came to know that he got the holy name from Uddhava Dāsa Babaji who was his Siksha Guru. He used to stay and chant on the banks of Surya Kunda. And take darshan of the eternal pastimes of Radha Krsna.

Once a Holi festival was taking place. Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji was performing bhajan on the banks of Surya Kunda at Madan Ratna Vatika. Suddenly he entered into the eternal pastime of Radha Krsna. Though his gross body was still present on the banks of Surya Kunda. When some local people arrived there, they saw Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji was chanting, his body was painted with different colors and he was mumbling. Listening to some outer voice, Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji came into consciousness.

He would recite Śrīmad Bhāgavatam everyday on the banks of Surya Kunda. A Python would come each day, offer his obeisances to Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji and hear Śrīmad Bhāgavatam from him.

Later Śrīmati Radharani manifested Herself in his dream and asked him to worship Giriraj Ji which was inside the Surya  Kunda with crown headed. He then founded a Giriraj shila of about 80-100 Kgs. He took it out as if it was a flower weight. The same Giriraj Shila is still there till date.

Theme: JDBM-  a Ghośtānandī

So Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj would engage himself in the service of his spiritual master, Śrīla Madhusudhan Dāsa Babaji everyday and would get instructions from him. He would get into many austerities such as observing Chaturmaas, eating less, etc. Seeing all this, his spiritual master was very happy with him. He gave Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj a Paramhans vesh. Thereafter, Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj began his journey in Vraja Mandal and Navadvīpa Mandal for six-six months. He was very generous and kind. He would always think that he is an insignificant person. And if he accepts any disciple, then he would become proud and won’t be able to do pure chanting. That’s why he would perform devotional services in seclusion. Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj was a Ghośtānandī among all Bhajanānandīs as he would narrate Śrī Hari and Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes to anyone who would visit him and that’s how he would always engage himself in preaching. This attracted many people but he would remain detached from the world. Sometimes he would stay at Radha Kunda, Surya Kunda and sometimes in Navadvīpa. In Navadvīpa, his personal servant, Bihārī Dāsa Babajī used to serve him. He explains how Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj used to perform his bhajana. Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj would never meet any lady or any materialistic people.

Theme: be aware of a markat vairāgī

Once a person from Kolkata visited him and requested him to visit his place as he wanted to accept him as his spiritual master and take initiation from him. To which Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj denied. But after so many failed attempts for 15 days, finally he agreed to visit his place but conditioned that he would not eat anything there. Eventually he went to Kolkata by boat. It is said that Bihārī Dāsa Babajī was very fit and active so he would carry Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj as his age was somewhere around 125 years. He would chant whole night and in the morning, he would offer obeisances to the Lord 1108 times everyday. As his age progressed, his body got decrepit. He got a hump on his back and his upper eyelashes would hang down below his lower eyelashes. There used to be two devotees who helped him carry his eyelashes so that he could worship Giriraj Ji. But it is also said that when there used to be devotees gathered at Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura’s place and perform Gauranga Mahāprabhu’s kīrtana, Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj would stand straight and start dancing and jumping. He would jump more than 4 feets that he could cross one’s head. So when he was about to reach Kashipur, that person started requesting him to have food. On such a request, Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj became outraged and asked Bihārī Dāsa Babajī to take him to Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura’s place as he is a vaiśnava. Then he took him to his place on a Tonga. It was midday and Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura was at his upper portion of his house. Just like Śrīla Bhaktī Siddhānta Saraswatī Thākura, Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura was skilled in differentiating between a genuine and not genuine vaiśnava. Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj also used to ask Bihārī Dāsa Babajī to stay away from Markat vairāgīs. They are the monkeys who pretend to be detached from material things like they don’t have a house, they don’t wear any clothes and they eat only fruits. But they are the most materialistic. So, as soon as Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura got informed about Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj’s arrival, he came down and offered obeisances to him.

Theme: Discovering the birthplace of Caitanya Mahāprabhu

At that time when Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura began searching for Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastime places on the basis of scriptures and Mahāprabhu’s compilations, the main question was to find out the birthplace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as this place was drowned in the Ganga from a long period of time. When he reached Yogapith in Mayapur, he found a Tulasi Vana or Vrindāvana there. He immediately understood that this is the birthplace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. But Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj was recognised as the most exalted vaiśnava in the whole Gaudīya vaiśnava community. No one could oppose his statement. He was requested to come there and confirm. By the time Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj reached the exact location where Mahāprabhu had appeared, he started singing and dancing in ecstasy, “Jai Sachinandan Gaura Hari, Jai Sachinandan Gaura Hari.” And marked the exact point of birthplace of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. There was a well also in which a broken mridanga was found.

Theme: Kindness of JDBM

Thereafter, Bihārī Dāsa Babajī decided to live in Navadvīpa. He cleaned that place, made a bhajan kutir and fenced it all around so no one could visit him and be a disturbance in his bhajan. But people would come with gifts for him. So Bihārī Dāsa Babajī had kept one pot in which he would collect all the money received. Once he had extra 15 rupees for an emergency to which Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj pointed him and asked him to go buy Rasagulla sweets of that rupees and distribute it to the cows. Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj had faith in Navadvīpa vasis. As Śrīla Bhaktī Vinoda Thākura says,

cintāmani rupa haya ey gaura mandala
cidānanda maya dham cinmaya sakala
jala bhumī vriksha ādī sakala cinmaya
sadā vidyamāna tathā krsna bhaktī haya

Gaura Mandal is like a Cintāmani dhāma. All the living entities in the Mayapur dhāma are embodied with knowledge (cinmaya). Water, land, particles of this land, trees, etc of Mayapur Dhāma are all sacidānanda maya, full of eternity, knowledge and bliss. But we can’t see it with our material eyes. When the demigods see Navadvīpa dhāma, all the living entities appear in chaturbuja form (with four arms). This was the bhāva of Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj. Today also we see, devotees in Vrindāvana serve Vrindāvana’s dogs and monkeys by feeding them. It is said that if we have committed an offense, then we should feed Vrindāvana’s dogs and monkeys.

Once Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj had 200 rupees. He asked Bihārī Dāsa Babajī to go buy Rasagulla sweets and distribute to the cows.

Once a fancy food plate was placed for Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj. He saw some puppies asking for food beside his place. He then distributed all the food in his plate to the puppies. This all had disappointed Bihārī Dāsa Babajī so the next day, he drived the dogs away. That’s when Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj got angry at Bihārī Dāsa Babaji and asked him to get the dogs and let them eat from his plate. Otherwise he won’t eat a bite. These were the emotions of Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj.

Theme: Earning money by reciting Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is an offense

When Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj was living in Vrindāvana, there came a man who was a great Sanskrit scholar. He came from Katwa place (where Caitanya Mahāprabhu got sannyāsa initiation) to get mercy from brāhmanās. He started earning money by narrating and reciting shloka from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in Vrindāvana. He would collect respect and money from the Vrindāvana vāsīs. Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj would never listen to his Bhāgavata katha and would always remain disinterested. Then one day, that man went to Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj and asked him why he is not interested in listening to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. In reply to which, Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj said, “One who does business from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, he is the biggest holy name offender. Whatever he says is not the real words of the Lord. He sells Krsna’s words and pastimes to only fulfill his material desires. And one who listens to such a non-bonafide person, he falls down from his position. He would never get auspiciousness and love of godhead in his life.” He also said, “To have faith in objects of enjoyment, then place your faith in Krsna.” The person who is using the dhāma or holy place for his own sense gratification by doing business is spreading inauspiciousness to all the living entities there. When that man heard Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj saying this, his heart transformed. He felt bliss and quit that business. He got mercy from Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj. And later, he became a param Bhāgavata vaiśnava. He would then offer obeisances to all the donkeys and dogs of Vrindāvana.

Theme: Instructions by JDBM

Some of the instructions given by Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj to Bihārī Dāsa Babajī are that one should always abandon a woman and association of those who are engaged in women.

Second, the holy name of the Lord should always be the first goal of life and therefore one should always be regular in chanting the holy name. Once in a conversation between Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj and Gaur Kishore Dāsa Babaji Maharaj, Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji said that 2 am to 6 am is mantra-siddha kāla.

Third, we should never forget Gaurānga Mahāprabhu in our life who is more merciful and beloved than Krsna. Krsna always remembers the offenses that we commit when it comes to justice. But Gaurānga Mahāprabhu never keeps account of our offenses. Krsna is more interested in the dispensation of Justice, whereas Gaurānga is more interested in distribution of mercy. That’s why Gaura kirtana has more significance and is more useful than Krsna kirtana. The meaning of Gaura kirtana is,

jaya sri-krishna-caitanya prabhu nityananda,
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

Bihārī Dāsa Babaji says, Krsna is the incarnation of Dwāpar yuga and Gaurānga Mahāprabhu is the incarnation of Kaliyuga. We are in Kaliyuga, so we should worship the Lord of Kaliyuga who is Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Like we should praise the king in whose kingdom we live.

Theme: A transformation of a mad Elephant

Rasik Mangal is the biography of Śrī Rasikānanda Prabhu who is a great ācārya  and disciple of Śyamānanda Pandit. He preached to many muhammadans and made them vaiśnavas.

dekho ore bhāi, tri-bhuvane nāi,
emona doyāla dātā
paśu pākhī jhure, pāṣāṇa vidare,
śuni’ jāńra guṇa-gāthā

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. (Text 3, Parama Karuna Pahu Dui Jana, Locana Dasa Thakura)

He gave initiation to a mad Elephant. A mad Elephant was sent by someone to kill Rasikānanda Prabhu but as soon as he touched that Elephant, the Elephant became Krsna conscious and named Bhakta Dāsa. Rasikānanda Prabhu then instructed him to serve the vaiśnavas. The Elephant would go to the business men and collect the bags of cereals and carry it. And also would help in the feast for devotees.

Theme: Prabhupāda’s Tamāla

We are in Mayapur Navadvīpa Dhāma. The biggest contribution to Iskcon Mayapur is of HH Tamāla Krsna Maharaj. He was a disciple of Bhaktīvedānta Swāmī Śrīla Prabhupāda. Prabhupāda loved him a lot and would lovingly address him as, “My Tamāla.” Prabhupāda used to be concerned for him as he was sent by Prabhupāda with money to attain the land for Iskcon in Mayapur. HH Tamāla Krsna Maharaj left his body in Navadvīpa Mayapur 22 years back. Today we are celebrating his disappearance day also. He began preaching from China; Radha Damodar Bus Party had become very famous. Śrīla Tamāla Krsna Maharaj had been one of the closest disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda. He wrote his personal experience vividly to Prabhupāda which was named as TKG Diary. We have his samādhi here.

Hare Krsna!

All glories to Śrīla Jagannātha Dāsa Babaji Maharaj disappearance day!

All glories to Rasikānanda Prabhu!

All glories to Tamāla Krsna Maharaj!

The Glories of Mayapur Dham
H.G. Govindananda Das
10 Mar 2024

Bhakti ratnakar

navadvipa madhye mayapura name sthan
yathaya janmilen gauracandra bhagavan

Translation: In the center of Navadvipa there is a place called Mayapura. At this place the Supreme Lord, Gauracandra, took His birth.

In Bhakti Ratnakar there is a mention of Mayapur as a dham in Navadvipa. In Mayapur there is Antardvipa. There is a Maha yogapetha in Antardvipa called Sridham Mayapur. The supreme lord appeared in Mayapur dham. The mission of our life is to go back to the dham of the supreme lord. Srila Goswami Prabhupad ji said that we can be far physically but can still live in the dhama mentally. For a human being dham vas is important. When we are taught to do “Aarjan” we first start mentally and then physically. We should daily remember and spend some time in the dhama to earn japa dhan/ prem dhan. There are different dhams such as Sri dham Mayapur-Navdvipa dham, Vrindavan dham, Radha Kund, Shyam kund where one can be mentally present. Mahaprabhu is known as prem Purusottam, Udarya Purusottam; Bhagwan Sri Ram Chandra as maryada Purusottam, Bhagwan Sri Krsna as lila Purusottam and Sri Krsna Chaitanaya mahaprabhu as prem Purusottam.

Mahaprabhu does not appear in each kaliyuga. It is our fortune that we are in the body of a human and with the mercy of Srila Prabhupada we are associated with Krsna consciousness movement. The Krsna consciousness movement started in Sri dham Mayapur. When Bhagwan Sri Krsna left Braj dham to go to Golok Vrindavan then he was thinking that I have had pastimes in Braj but to enter into Braj dham people need to get involved in Raganuga bhakti. But Raganuga bhakti is not possible for everyone. By Vedic bhakti one can go to Vaikuntha loka. How in the dham the beings will return to Golok Vrindavan. Thinking this he appeared with Radha’s mode in Kaliyuga as Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu. There are two main reasons for the appearance of mahaprabhu. The main reason and a supplementary reason.

Sri Sarva Damodar Goswami in our parampara is the secretary of Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu. He has written that Mahaprabhu appeared in this life Lord Sri Krsna had three things in his mind.

CC Adi 1.6

śrī-rādhāyāḥ praṇaya-mahimā kīdṛśo vānayaivā-
svādyo yenādbhuta-madhurimā kīdṛśo vā madīyaḥ
saukhyaṁ cāsyā mad-anubhavataḥ kīdṛśaṁ veti lobhāt
tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥ samajani śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ

Translation: Desiring to understand the glory of Rādhārāṇī’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appeared from the womb of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī, as the moon appeared from the ocean.

What are the glories of Shri Radharani’s mode of love, A great poet Vasu Ghosh Thakur sings

 (yadi) gaura nā hoito, tabe ki hoito,
kemane dharita de?
rādhāra mahimā, prema-rasa-sīmā,
jagate jānāta ke

Translation:  If Lord Gaura had not appeared as the Yuga-Avatara in this age of Kali, then what would have become of us? How could we have tolerated living? Who in this universe would have ever learned about the topmost limits of loving mellows that comprise the glory of Sri Radha?

Radharani is arranging all the kripa from Krsna for us. Radharani can catch that mad elephant and tell Him “You have to give kripa to all, otherwise you cannot come to me.” Krsna cannot live without Radharani, so He is bound to obey Her.

Had Gaur not appeared in the Mayapur dham (Lila is of two types – visible and invisible). The supreme lord is always with us but we cannot see him. With the mercy of the lord, when he is riding on our senses only then we can see him, hear him and see his pastimes. We get this mercy through disciplic succession. The dham of Chaitanaya mahaprabhu is Navdvipa dhama.

Navdvipa dhama is like eight petals of the lotus and one petal in the centre is called Antardvipa. There are eight dvipas around it – first one is Simanta dvipa, next is Godurma dvipa, Madhya dvipa, Kola Pada Dvipa, Ritu dvipa, Jahanu Dvipa, Moda druma Dvipa and Rudra Dvipa. This is a set of Nava Dvipas. In Sri Bhakti Ratnakar there is a description that Nava Dvipa is my dham.

navadvipa madhye mayapura name sthan
yathaya janmilen gauracandra bhagavan

We need to understand that though Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu has appeared as a devotee he is himself Sri Krsna. And he has appeared in Radha’s mode and kanti. Therefore, Srva Damodar Goswami has said that

śrī-rādhāyāḥ praṇaya-mahimā kīdṛśo

Srimati Radha Rani’s glory of prem is like this.

vānayaivā svādyo yenādbhuta-madhurimā kīdṛśo

and my wonderful Madhurya is like this.

vā madīyaḥ saukhyaṁ cāsyā mad-anubhavataḥ kīdṛśaṁ veti lobhāt

Srimati Radha Rani tastes and internalizes me then derives peace of mind. How does that happen? I feel good looking at the devotees but how does a devotee feel in his heart? How they feel that ananda? Therefore, it is important to understand a devotee. Out of all the devotees, Srimati Radha Rani is the supreme devotee. Therefore Sri Krsna started thinking. The veti lobhāt developed in his heart. There are three key modes to be understood:

• To understand the prem mode of Radha Rani?
• To understand the properties of my Madhurya.
• After tasting the Madhurya, how Radha Rani’s heart gets pleasure?

tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥ samajani śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ

Hari indu alias Gaura Chandra. Inder means Chandra. Taking the mode and appearance of Chandra, Sri Krsna has appeared in the form of Gura Mahaprabhu.

Sachi garbha sindu Hari-hari

After the churning of the ocean the Chandra has appeared, similarly Sachi mata’s Garbha is Sindhu. From Sindhu, Sri Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu has appeared. Therefore it is mentioned in Sri Chaitanaya mahaamrit that shikshastakam

On the Falguni poornima day, Rahu has grasped the Chandra. Lunar eclipse as such is not auspicious. To get rid of the inauspicious effects people remember the supreme lord. Even those who never pray, on this day remember the supreme lord and go for holy dip in Ganga. At that time Sri Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu appeared with Harinam (Goloke Prem dhan, Harinam sankirtan). So Krsndas Kaviraj Goswami has said

CC Adi 13.91

a-kalanka gaurachandra dila darasana
sa-kalanka chandre ara kon prayojana [91]

 Translation: When the spotless moon of Caitanya Mahāprabhu became visible, what would be the need for a moon full of black marks on its body?

Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu is free of fault spots. But then there are spots on the Chandra. Therefore, Rahu started thinking that Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu is flawless and is about to appear but Chandra has spots therefore he grasps Chandra.

CC Adi 13.92

eta jani’ rahu kaila chandrera grahana
‘krsna’ ‘krsna’ ‘hari’ name bhase tri-bhuvana [92]

Translation: Considering this, Rāhu, the black planet, covered the full moon, and immediately vibrations of “Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Hari!” inundated the three worlds.

When Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu appeared the three lokas were filled with Harinam. Everyone had a feeling of devotion, there was also feeling of bliss. When Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu appeared Advait acharaya and Haridas Thakur were in Shantipur. Advait acharaya knew everything but he did not tell anyone. This was also the will of Mahaprabhu. Since the appearance of Sri Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu in Mayapur, Advait acharaya was so happy that he started dancing. Even Haridas Thakur was feeling the bliss when he asked Avait acharaya “Why it is so that you are dancing in ecstacy”. My mind is also very happy but why? But Advait acharaya did not reply. Haridas Thakur started thinking maybe it is the sign of arrival of the supreme lord.

The supreme lord is there with us.

CC Adi 17.22

kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra

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.

The name and the named are not different from each other (as mentioned in Padma purana). But if an offence is committed against the named and he is chanting the Harinam he is likely to be free from the sin. It is not fair to continue committing offences and chanting the Harinam thinking to get rid of the sins continuously. This is called nam aparadha. To commit an offence in the name of Harinam.

Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu has appeared from the womb of Sachi Mata. Since his appearance in the world some start chanting Harinam, some take a holy dip in the Ganga. On the occasion of Jagannatha Mishra festival, many Mataji’s have gathered to see Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu, he is a beautiful child. The child was quite nice but he started crying and was continuously crying. Then when a Mataji picked up Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu and patted his back, still he kept crying. One after the other different Mataji’s tried and the child continued to cry. Then one Mataji said “Hari-Hari, this child is just crying everytime”. Listening Hari-Hari the child stopped crying and smiled. Seeing the baby smiling the Mataji was filled with love in the heart. Whenever the Harinam was there the child did not cry. This indicates that since childhood Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu has conveyed to us that when at home Harinam has no substitute.

CC Madhya 6.242

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā

Translation:  ‘In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.’

This is Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu’s teaching during his childhood and also in his pastimes. Harinam is the only solution for one residing in the town, city or village, or students or chand kazi. He conveyed the message to chant “Hare Krishna” when he went to Bangladesh, to Varanasi and to Vrindavan. Mahaprabhu said the same thing at all places – to chant the Harinam.

There are so many pastimes of Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu during his childhood, later he became a famous pundit. What was earlier called “toll” is now called school and when he returned to Mayapur via Gaya, he conveyed the message to chant “Hare Krishna”. Then he went on for Iswarpuri pad’s darshan, received Mantra diksha from him, Vishnupad darshan and thought of Vrindavan darshan.  He was about to leave for Vrindavan when the demi-gods prayed to him that you know everything and now is not the time to travel to Vrindavan, kindly return to Mayapur and later on proceed to Vrindavan. At that time Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu had chosen to proceed for Mayapur dham. He is accompanied by his disciples.

On the way, they came across Kanhaya Nat-shala. When you visit Mayapur, you can visit Kanhaya Nat-shala, can go to the birth place of Nityananda prabhu, Ek Chakra Nagari (also described in Mahabharata). Now it is a village. Another place is Kalen ashram because the essence of Mahaprabhu’s mode of love started from there.  Mahaprabhu came and was thinking about Krsna and chanting when Bhagwan Shyam Sunder (Mrydul dhari) appeared. Mahaprabhu and Krsna (Shyam sunder) appeared and they hugged each other. Then Bhagwan Sri Krsna disappeared. So Mahaprabhu found the supreme lord and lost him. This is the mode of Radha Rani, after meeting Krsna, he disappears and therefore the mode of viraha. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu started crying, always searching for Krsna. Where is Krsna, I am so unfortunate that even after finding him I lost him, where to find him, in which direction? Like that he started asking everyone. This is how searching for Bhagvan he came to Mayapur.

Nimai Pundit, was the most renowned pundit in Mayapur. You know about the pastime of Keshav Kashmiri. When he had defeated so many pundits and came to Navdvipa in Mayapur. There were so many pundits in Mayapur but all of them left. Only Nimai Pundit was remaining in the town. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu defeated Keshav Pundit on the banks of river Ganga in a solitary place. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu listened to the glories of Ganga from Keshav pundit. Keshav pundit glorified Ganga. Mahaprabhu repeated all the slokas as it is. Keshav pundit was shocked to see a small child with such an amazing performance. Further mahaprabhu cited a sloka and indicated the mistake in the interpretation. Then the pundit realized that he has been defeated by a child. How is this possible? Possibly Mata Saraswati is angry with me. He could not sleep the whole night, but was recalling Mata Saraswati. By the mercy of lord he could take a nap in the morning and in his dreams Mata Saraswati appeared. She asked the Pundit How are you? The Pundit said I am good by your mercy. Then Mata Saraswati said “Keshav you are very fortunate. I am very happy with you. You don’t know who is Nimai Pundit, He is Narayan, My husband. Your knowledge is now justified. Please go and surrender at his lotus feet. Live your life according to his teachings.” Saying this Mata Saraswati disappeared. Then Keshav pundit, in the early morning, came to the house of Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu, he was knocking the door and was calling “Nimai Pundit, Nimai Pundit”. On seeing him Keshav Pundit paid his obesciences. Nimai Pundit said “you happen to be a senior pundit why are you doing this to me?” Keshav pundit said by the mercy of Mata Saraswati, I have realized that you are the supreme lord. My life and knowledge is now justified. I will not run here and there. I will stay here at your lotus feet. Please allow me to serve you. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu said “what Mata Saraswati has told you is correct, but you are not supposed to disclose this to anyone” If you disobey, you will feel unhappy. Get detached from material life and engage yourself in chanting. Keshav pundit gave away all his possessions and obeyed the instructions of Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu in the true spirit.

Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu tells the same thing in all of his pastimes – to chant the Harinam. Nityananda prabhu was not there at that time. Mahaprabhu was recalling Nityananda Prabhu. Later Haridas Thakur joined, Advait acharaya joined together. Advait acharaya prabhu said that Nimai pundit you are our leader, you kindly guide all devotees. Then Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu asked all devotees to initiate Harinam sankirtan. But Nityananda prabhu was not in Mayapur at that time. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu was just thinking about him and Nitayanda Prabhu arrived from Mathura. They met at Nandan Acharaya Bhawan (near Iskcon temple in Mayapur). This is the only place where Nityananda prabhu was staying without anyones knowledge, then Advait acharaya prabhu stayed there and then Mahaprabhu. Three prabhu – Two prabhus and one Mahaprabhu did lila here in hiding. There is a beautiful description in the Bhagvatam, of the meeting of Gaura Nityananda’s meeting. Nityananda Prabhu’s Vyas puja happened here. Mahaprabhu said that in the month of Ashad, Guru poornima is there a day after. We should engage in Vyas Puja but where – in whose house. Mahaprabhu told Nityananda prabhu “where we should conduct the Vyas Puja?” Nityananda Prabhu said “at the residence of Srivas Thakur”. Mahaprabhu said to Srivas prabhu that now you have lot of responsibilities. There will be invitation to so many devotees for Vyas Puja. But don’t worry everything is there at my place. I just need a book for Vyas puja. Mahaprabhu was so happy.

Then there was adivas kirtan. On the day of Vyas puja the devotees came. Mahaprabhu started the kirtan and devotees started dancing. Srivas Thakur gave a garland to Nityananda prabhu and asked him to conduct the Vyas puja. Nityananda prabhu was looking around and walking, Srivas Thakur walking from behind said Nityananda prabhu please start the Vyas Puja, this is the auspicious time. While this dilemma was going on, Srivas Thakur went to Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu and told him that Nityananda Prabhu is not initiating the Vyas Puja. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu said Sripad (used for Nityananda prabhu and Prakashanand swami – mayavadi guru, captured by the love for chanting Harinam). Seeing Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu in front of him, Nityananda prabhu was very happy and had put the garland on to Mahaprabhu and said that the Vyas Puja is done.

These are the teachings of Nityananda Prabhu. In Panihati village, Nityananda prabhu punished Raghunath Das Goswami. The punishment was to offer the devotees a meal comprising of Chirwa-Dahi. Raghunath Das Goswami was very happy and arranged for everything. At that time Ganga water used to very clean and pure. But he asked some devotees to assist in the transfer of Chirwa that has been cooked in milk. He cooked the rice in milk till it attained thick consistency and another half was mixed with curd. We listen about Dahi-Chirwa but there are two types – Dahi-Chirwa and Dugdh-Chirwa. Each devotee was offered two bowls – Dahi-Chirwa and Dugdh-Chirwa. Nityananda prabhu was meditating about it to get Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu to Panihati village. When Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu was in Sri dham Mayapur and he finally appeared. When Mahaprabhu came Nityananda prabhu got up. Seeing Nityananda prabhu all the devotees also got up. Nityananda prabhu offered the rice with his hands to Mahaprabhu. There were so many devotees that there was no piece of land available and devotees had to enter into the Ganga (neck deep in water). First Nityananda prabhu offered the prasadam to Mahaprabhu. Then Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu also fed Nityananda Prabhu. The teaching here is that the devotees should not eat anything other than the prasadam offered to the supreme lord. Srila Prabhupada says in Bhaktiras amrit sindhu that Yukt vairagaya is not to eat anything that is not offered to the lord.

Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu came to Navadvipa dham and generously offered Harinam to everyone. This is how Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu has first instructed Advait acharaya Prabhu and Nityananda prabhu to preach the Harinam to the devotees.

CB Madhya-Khanda (13.8-10):
suno suno nityananda, suno haridas
sarvatra amar ajna koroho prakas prati ghare ghare giya koro ei bhiksa
bolo `krsna’, bhajo krsna, koro krsna-siksa iha bai arna boliba,
bolaiba dina-avasane asi’ amare kohiba

Translation: Listen, listen, Nityananda! Listen, Haridasa! Make My command known everywhere! Go from house to house and beg from all the residents, `Please chant Krsna’s name, worship Krsna, and teach others to follow Krsna’s instructions.’ Do not speak, or cause anyone to speak, anything other than this.

Go to each house hold and ask them to chant Harinam, teach Krsna consciousness and serve Krsna. Make the teachings of Krsna a routine of your day-to-day life. There are three things to focus on –  Harinam, Serve Krsna and adapt the teachings of Krsna.

BG 18.65

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te
pratijāne priyo ’si me

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

Though the supreme lord says worship me but it is important to worship his devotees first. Kanisht devotee worships the lord but not his devotees and has no attachment to living beings. Madhyam devotees have love for the lord and have friendship for the devotees. They transfer the teaching of Krsna to uninitiated people but avoid those who are not inclined. Madhyam devotees are actually the preachers. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu further says Harinam will solve all your problems.

suno suno nityananda, suno haridas
sarvatra amar ajna koroho prakas prati ghare ghare giya koro ei bhiksa
bolo `krsna’, bhajo krsna, koro krsna-siksa
iha bai arna boliba,
bolaiba dina-avasane asi’ amare kohiba

When we go for preaching we feel so many things when devotees say we are facing this or that problem. When one listens so many problems the peace of mind is lost. If there are problems, keep chanting Harinam and continue your prayers. If one is devoted to Harinam everything is resolved. This is the teaching of Mahaprabhu.

iha bai arna boliba,
bolaiba dina-avasane asi’ amare kohiba

We are asked to go and preach. Uttam devotee asks everyone to participate in Harinam chanting. There is a mandate to participate in preaching in the morning and submit the preaching report to Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu by evening. To tell about all those who have participated in chanting the Harinam. The preaching report is to be submitted in all temples every evening. Srila Prabhupada has introduced the method of reporting the new devotees who participated in chanting, number of books distributed, the donation collected which is presented next day morning. Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu is quite generous.

Krsna Das Goswami’s thoughts. Those who believe in Krsna, pray to him but does not recognize Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu as Bhagvan e,g, Osho. Krsna Das Goswami’s has cited the example of Jarasand in Dyapar yuga (the father-in-law of Kansa). He used to pray Vishnu daily, used to donate to the brahamans but never recognized Krsna-Balrama as the supreme lord. He was against Krsna. Therefore, he is classified as Asura. Therefore in this kaliyuga the one who does not recognize Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu as Bhagvan is an asura.  Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu has appeared in the mode of devotion. He has several pastimes e.g. he has shown six-armed rupa to Nityananda prabhu in the Vyas puja. Kirtidaman has seen his eight-armed incarnation as a child. Hanuman ji has shown to Murari Gupt  the Ram bhakta rupa. Similarly he has appeared in different rupas to different devotees. This is the generosity of Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu.

Krsna Das Goswami says

CC Adi 14.1

kathañcana smṛte yasmin
duṣkaraṁ sukaraṁ bhavet
vismṛte viparītaṁ syāt
śrī-caitanyaṁ namāmi tam

Translation: Things that are very difficult to do become easy to execute if one somehow or other simply remembers Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. But if one does not remember Him, even easy things become very difficult. To this Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu I offer my respectful obeisances.

If one remembers Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu, if there is a problem difficult to be solved, it will be resolved easily. When we pray him the difficulties are resolved. And if one forgets him, the good thing that was about to happen may not take place. This is the greatness of Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu. We pay our obesciences to Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu daily. This is the mantra of Srila Rupa Goswami

CC Madhya 19.53
namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

Translation: “O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

Sri Krsna Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu ki jai!!

Mayapur Navdvipa dham ki jai

Harinam sankirtan ki jai…

09 March 2024
Maha Shivaratri
Speaker: HG Asit prabhu

Today is Shivaratri. We should fast on this day thinking of Lord Shiva as a great Vaishnava.

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.

In Hari bhakti Vilasa, its said its optional to keep Shivaratri vrata for Vaishnavas. Lord Shiva’s dham is Nirguna. Its not in this material world. Lord Shiva’s abode is beyond the seven coverings of this material universe.

Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.43
goloka-nāmni nija-dhāmni tale ca tasya
devi maheśa-hari-dhāmasu teṣu teṣu
te te prabhāva-nicayā vihitāś ca yena
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Translation: Lowest of all is located Devī-dhāma [mundane world], next above it is Maheśa-dhāma [abode of Maheśa]; above Maheśa-dhāma is placed Hari-dhāma [abode of Hari] and above them all is located Kṛṣṇa’s own realm named Goloka. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, who has allotted their respective authorities to the rulers of those graded realms.

It’s called Mahesh dham. It is on pure goodness beyond the modes. Sanatan Goswami writes in Srimad Bhagavatam that Shiva’s dham has no unhappiness. There only some devotees can reach and he mentions them. Lord Brahma says in Brahma Samhita, that milk and curd has same properties and in the same way Krsna and Shiva are non different.

Curd is not milk but it has its properties. Those devotees who see Shiva and Krsna the same, they are pure devotees. But karmis, gyanis and who think that Lord Shiva is the only controller can’t reach Lord Shiva’s abode. His realizations have abhava.

In Brhad Bhagavatam, Sanatan Goswami mentions Narada Muni was in search of the one who has received the most mercy of the Lord. So Brahma guides Narada Muni to Mahesh Dham, where he sees Lord Shiva has just finished with his worship of Lord Sankarshan and kirtan started. And Lord Shiva was dancing while other family members and devotees were playing instruments and chanting.

Seeing this Narada Muni became ecstatic.

bhaje bhajanyāraṇa-pāda-paṅkajaṁ
bhagasya kṛtsnasya paraṁ parāyaṇam
bhakteṣv alaṁ bhāvita-bhūta-bhāvanaṁ
bhavāpahaṁ tvā bhava-bhāvam īśvaram (SB 5.17.18)

Translation: O my Lord, You are the only worshipable person, for You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all opulences. Your secure lotus feet are the only source of protection for all Your devotees, whom You satisfy by manifesting Yourself in various forms. O my Lord, You deliver Your devotees from the clutches of material existence. Non devotees, however, remain entangled in material existence by Your will. Kindly accept me as Your eternal servant.

bhaje bhajanyāraṇa-pāda-paṅkajaṁ – You are refuge of all devotees. You take many incarnations for satisfying your devotees. Because of your mercy, your devotees are liberated from the material world. And non devotees, unable to take your shelter are unhappy in this material world. Please provide me your shelter, Oh Hari. So Lord please be merciful unto me and accept me as your eternal servant.

Lord Shiva’s dham is eternal. He is known as Sadashiva. He has nothing to do with the three modes of material nature. He is incarnated as Rudra in this material world and has a purpose for annihilation of the universe.

In Laghu pada, Srila Rupa Goswami quotes the names of the 11 rudras which are the expansions of Sadashiva. For the service of Hari to destroy this world, he takes the form of Rudra. He also appears as elements like air, water, fire, etc. He appears as the personified deity of the mode of ignorance. He is the deity not in the mode of ignorance. Mahesh Dham and Vaikuntha is almost the same.

He has a position as Narayana. But when he descends in this material world, he has this duty of in charging the mode of ignorance. He is pure. He shows us how to do bhakti by his own example. That is why he is also one of the 12 Mahajans. We see he is always in meditation.

tarko ’pratiṣṭhaḥ śrutayo vibhinnā
nāsāv ṛṣir yasya mataṁ na bhinnam
dharmasya tattvaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ
mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ (CC Madhya 17.186)

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “ ‘Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the śāstras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahājanas advocate.

Brahma is the Lord of passion and Shiva is the Lord of ignorance. Yet the main difference is that any soul can become brahma but Lord Shiva is the only one in his place. No soul can take his place. Even after having such an exalted position even beyond brahma, yet he always identifies himself as a devotee of the Lord. Many great sages go and sit by him to listen to Hari katha. Even though he is the husband of maya, yet he shows the topmost renunciation just like a yogi untouched by the material attachments.

Rupa Goswami says, that if one even starts Bhakti he should be respected. So Lord Shiva is a great devotee. He is a Sampradaya Acharya and by respecting him one can advance in bhakti. And by not showing proper respects, we can be destroyed and commit Vaishnava apradh. Like we see the incident with Prajapati Daksha.

Markendeya Rishi once pleased Lord Shiva and he asked two things from him – first is the love in the lotus feet of the Lord and other is the love in the lotus feet of the Lord’s devotees. Lord Shiva is very happy when some one asks this and he immediately gives it.

When the ocean was churned by the demons and demigods, for the welfare of the world he drank the poison and his throat became blue. And he is known as Neel Kantha. When Ganga was coming down from the heaven, Lord Shiva accepted her on his head as the auspicious water that washed the Lord’s feet.

Lord Shiva was very pleased by the prayers of the Pracheta and taught them pure devotion. So Lord Shiva’s main business is to help the souls become the devotees of the Lord and advance in Krsna consciousness.

So today we should pray to Lord Shiva to bless us so we can also have attachment for Lord Hari. In all the major abodes of the Lord, Lord Shiva is present as the protector. And we are actually supposed to take his Darshan and permission before entering the dham.

Hare Krsna.

Date- 8^th March 2024
Speaker- Hayagriva Prabhu
Theme- Glories of Navadvipa and Mayapur Dham

Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. First of all, I want to offer my humble obeisances at the lotus feet of HH Lokanath Swami Guru Maharaj. While offering obeisances to all assembled devotees, I thank Padmamali Prabhu for giving me opportunity to speak on the glories of Mayapur Dham. I hope that with this association our hearts will get purified.

So, in reality we have not yet entered in Dham because until the mind is in kama, lust, it cannot enter in Dham. So,we will just repeat the words of the glories of Navadvipa Dham or of Mayapur, the Antar-dvipa of Navadvipa Dham. We do not have bhava, but we should accept and listen the words of Acharyas with bhava, with devotion, and then Dham will manifest in our hearts. So, it is said that there is no difference between Vrindavan Dham and Navadvipa Dham.

Gaura vrajavane bheda na dekhiba paiba brajabas, there is no difference. So, Lord Himself creates this Dham by His internal potency, Hladini sakti, that is Srimati Radharani. So Radharani Herself has created this Dham. This is the internal mood of Radharani; acquiring this mood Mahaprabhu manifested Himself in this Dham.

anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam
hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ
sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandanaḥ

Translation:

May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī be transcendentally situated in the innermost chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has appeared in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [CC Adi 1.4]

So that Sachinandana who appeared in the womb of Sachimata,

śrī-rādhāyāḥ praṇaya-mahimā kīdṛśo vānayaivā-
svādyo yenādbhuta-madhurimā kīdṛśo vā madīyaḥ
saukhyaṁ cāsyā mad-anubhavataḥ kīdṛśaṁ veti lobhāt
tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥ samajani śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ

Translation:

Desiring to understand the glory of Rādhārāṇī’s love, the wonderful qualities in Him that She alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, the Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appeared from the womb of Śrīmatī Śacī-devī, as the moon appeared from the ocean. [CC Ādi 1.6]

śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ, that Hari who destroys all types of miseries, and who attracts all living entities towards Him by giving them Prema bhakti, that Hari appeared from the womb of Sachi Mata which is like an ocean. śacī-garbha-sindhau harīnduḥ, and how is that Hari, He is like induh, the moon. The activities He performed in other millenniums are like

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. [BG 4.8]

He is not performing these activities now. He provides coolness to everyone. Indu means the moon. So Lord appeared in the form of Gauracandra. He destroys sins and inauspiciousness of everyone and along with that unnata ujjvala-rasāṁ, which quenches the thirst; so there is thirst in Lord as well, same like the living entities. In fact that is the original thirst, kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā matiḥ
krīyatāṁ yadi kuto ’pi labhyate
tatra laulyam api mūlyam ekalaṁ
janma-koṭi-sukṛtair na labhyate

Translation:

‘Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price — that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.’ [CC Madhya 8.70]

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā, the mellow is devotional service; only by this thirst can be quenched.

In the Srimad Bhagavatam Sukadeva Goswami says

nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalaṁ
śuka-mukhād amṛta-drava-saṁyutam
pibata bhāgavataṁ rasam ālayam
muhur aho rasikā bhuvi bhāvukāḥ

Translation:

O expert and thoughtful men, relish Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls. [ŚB 1.1.3]

So, we need to drink this bhakti rasa and to provide this rasa Mahaprabhu appeared in the womb of Sachimata. śacī-garbha-sindhau, but this Sindhu, ocean is not of salty water. It is prema sindhu which is in the womb of Sachimata.

About Navadvipa Dham it is said that it is like a lotus of eight petals. And the whorl of this lotus is Mayapur or Antar-dvipa which is non different from Mahavan. And this Navadvipa area represents nine types of devotional service.

śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam
iti puṁsārpitā viṣṇau
bhaktiś cen nava-lakṣaṇā
kriyeta bhagavaty addhā
tan manye ’dhītam uttamam

Translation:

Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. [ŚB 7.5.23-24]

So, the last type of bhakti, atmanivedanam, by which devotees gain eternal bliss, that is this Mayapur Dham. We can practice atmanivedanam here.In Antar-dvipa Brahmaji expressed his feelings, “I want that all living entities should be delivered”, and he requested that “I committed big offence. I should have cooperated with You in Your pastime, but I placed obstacles in Your pastime. Your illusory energy is very powerful.” Lord says is Bhagavad Gita

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te

Translation:

This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it. [BG 7.14]

And only by this Maya this material world is created.

tribhir guṇa-mayair bhāvair
ebhiḥ sarvam idaṁ jagat
mohitaṁ nābhijānāti
mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam

Translation:

Deluded by the three modes [goodness, passion and ignorance], the whole world does not know Me, who am above the modes and inexhaustible.[Bg. 7.13]

Sub-theme: Dialogues between Brahmaji and Caitanya Mahaprabhu

So, Lord’s illusory energy enchants the conditioned souls. Brahmaji was also bewildered by this Maya. So Brahmaji prayed, “Lord You have taken many incarnations and have performed many pastimes, but in this Avatara I pray that I should not get bewildered by Your Maya. Give me birth in lower yoni, Yavan birth, so that I should not develop any kind of pride.” So after hearing this prayer, Mahaprabhu expressed His heart that, “I too …(Not clear)….”Which wealth Lord had not given until now? ….(Not clear)..

bhakta-bhava laye bhakti-rasa asvadiba
parama durlabha sankirtana prakasiba

Translation:

“‘Taking the mood of a devotee, I will relish the rasa of devotion and reveal the most rare form of sankirtan.[Navadvipa Dham mahatmya chapter five -150]

anya anya avatara-kale bhakta yata
vraja-rase sabe mataiba kari’ rata

Translation:

“‘I will completely madden all the devotees of My previous Avatars with the rasa of Vraja.[Navadvipa Dham mahatmya chapter five -151]

Nana avatare nana bhave bhakta yeite vrajanugata madhura rasate. So Mahaprabhu is saying that, in Vraja I reciprocated in various ways with different devotees, like dasya, sakhya, vatsalya,and madhurya, these four rasas were prominent in Vraja. So I will accept these four rasas because devotees relished those rasas, but I couldn’t relish them, I couldn’t experience them. Therefore, in Caitanya Charitamrita Krsnadas Kaviraj says

āpani karimu bhakta-bhāva aṅgīkāre
āpani ācari’ bhakti śikhāimu sabāre

Translation:

I shall accept the role of a devotee, and I shall teach devotional service by practicing it Myself. [CC Ādi 3.20]

“I will accept the mood of a devotee. I will relish it and will distribute it in people. This wealth I had kept in treasure but now, karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau, in Kaliyuga causeless mercy is very important…” Therefore with the karunya, causeless mercy, which is in Srimati Radharani, that is more than the mercy of Sri Krsna. …(Not clear).. Ocean remains in its boundaries, but sometimes when Tsunami comes, ocean crossesits boundaries. So sindhu hari induh, this is sindhu, ocean, ocean of mercy. Living entities have lots of miseries. When material nature created this world, from that time living entity is struggling with Maya and facing lots of troubles. So seeing living entities condition, Lord thinks,this conditioned soul will never surrender, so ….(Not clear)..

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī
mama māyā duratyayā
mām eva ye prapadyante
māyām etāṁ taranti te

Translation

This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it. [Bg. 7.14]

…..(Not clear)

But in the Dham, there is no effect of Maya’s power.

oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
janmādy asya yato ’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

Translation:

O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmājī, the original living being. By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him, for He is the Absolute Truth. [SB1.1.1]

So Dham is always aloof from the effect of Maya, therefore devotees come to Dham to take shelter of the Lord. As Lord says

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]

So Arjun is also glorifying

arjuna uvāca
paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma
pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān
puruṣaṁ śāśvataṁ divyam
ādi-devam ajaṁ vibhum
āhus tvām ṛṣayaḥ sarve
devarṣir nāradas tathā
asito devalo vyāsaḥ
svayaṁ caiva bravīṣi me

Translation:

Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Nārada, Asita, Devala and Vyāsa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me. [BG 10.12-13]

Dham means shelter, where devotees can take shelter of the Lord and can reciprocate with Him. Dham is that place where Lord appears and gives shelter to His devotees and to this place, we call Puri. So this Mayapuri, Jagannath Puri, Madhupuri, Haripuri, and many more Puris are there. So here Lord performs His pastimes and nurtures His devotees. Lord reciprocates with His devotees with His Yogamaya.

But when we come to this place, we cannot see the potency of this place because we cannot see it with our material eyes. This is not ordinary place. This is Chintamani prakara sadmadu kalpavrksa

cintāmaṇi-bhūmi, kalpa-vṛkṣa-maya vana
carma-cakṣe dekhe tāre prapañcera sama

Translation

The land there is touchstone [cintāmaṇi], and the forests abound with desire trees. Material eyes see it as an ordinary place. [CC Ādi 5.20]

We cannot see this Chintamani Dham with these material eyes. Therefore, to see this Navadvipa Dham we need to bring with us Divya caksu, spiritual vision. To purchase something we need to have some wealth, we need to pay the price; similarly to have darshan of real Dham we need to have eyes. Which kind of eyes?

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. [Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.38]

Premanjana, but we have kamanjan in our eyes. Our eyes are full of lust;therefore, they are not capable to have darshan of this Dham. Therefore, Brahmaji says, how can one open these eyes? premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena, with bhakti. Jananjana and premanjana! Jananjana can give knowledge but cannot give vision of Dham. For that we need premanjana. How can one get this prema?Sanatana Goswami says in Haribhakti Vilasa, atra ….prakruta pradesa iva, satadhara lokayante tat katuh sri bhagavatim svacchayah alaukika lilam visesa angikara nivrtta matih.

So for nivrtta matih, it is said in Srimad Bhagavatam that-

nivṛtta-tarṣair upagīyamānād
bhavauṣadhāc chrotra-mano-’bhirāmāt
ka uttamaśloka-guṇānuvādāt
pumān virajyeta vinā paśughnāt

Translation:

Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparā system, that is, it is conveyed from the spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher or one who is killing his own self? [ŚB 10.1.4]

One who is free from all kinds of illusion, disturbance, he never gets affected. Tapa traya unmulanam, all kinds of miseries are destroyed. He is prasannatma, transcendentally situated. He reciprocates with the Lord, sri bhagavate rasacye alaukika.. visesa angikara nivrta mati,So only with that mati, intelligence we can understand and achieve gati, the ultimate destination. So, to glorify this Dham is not the job of a material tongue. But we expect mercy of the Dhamavasis, may be some sukruti will awake. So Bhakti Vinod Thakur says, one who has done all pilgrimages-

sarva-tirtha bhrami’ yadi haya phalodaya
navadvipa tabe tara vasa-sthana haya

Translation:

“‘When souls attain the result of visiting all other holy places, then they can reside in Nabadwip. [Sri Nabadwip Dham Mahatmya: chapter ten verse 24]

Result of visiting all holy places is, one can reside in Navadvipa Dham. ata eva navadvipa chadite.. anya tirtha asa kare mudha durjana,if one desires to leave this Navadvipa Dham and reside in some other holy place then he is durjana,rascal and mudha, foolish. Foolish people cannot understand the secret tattva of this Dham. They cannot understand Lord’s intention and mood. Therefore, Lord Krsna, to manifest and relish His internal mood, appeared in Navadvipa. And it is said that the place where Lord appeared is known as Yogapitha.

pancha bhautika deha api bhakti smrtyah sachidananda rupa taya…avam varjya vasatat kim va tat karunya bhakti visesana atra tatrartita tat sphurtih sambhava.With the help of karunya bhakti. …karunya bhakti visesana atra tatrartita tat sphurtih sambhava, only those who are free from three modes, can see this Sachidananda form. Karunya bhakti, with ecstasy, crying and all, as we say when something falls in the eye, immediately tears come from the eye. Then that tear washes out that dirt from the eye. Similarly, while performing bhakti, this mood of karunya bhakti, ecstasiesarise. With that all anarthas get washed out. With this mood all the anarthas get washed out. This heart is contaminated from many births, but this bhakti, pibanti ye bhagavatam atmanam satam. So by hearing and contemplating on the Katha, the bhakti rasa enters in. And this rasa comes out in the form of tears. …karunya bhakti visesana atra tatrartita tat sphurtih sambhava. Tat tat sphurtih sambhava, then only we can place Lord in the heart. The Chintamani Dham

cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-
lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam
lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Translation:

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor who is tending the cows, yielding all desire, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakṣmīs or gopīs. [Śrī brahma-saṁhitā 5.29]

So in the Dham lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ, hundreds of thousands of lakṣmīs always serve there with great reverence and affection. There are desire trees, the kalpavrksas…..(Not clear)…. And in this Yogapitha the throne is made of precious gems. There are many desire trees and under them many surrendered souls have taken shelter. Fallen souls like Jagai Madhai are also under these trees. Here at Yogapitha mahavadanyaya Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared. At His right side is Nityananda and at His left side is Gadadhara. At left side there is also Srivasa and at right side Advaita Acharya. Lord manifested His internal mood, relished it and also distributed it. Therefore, Caitanya Mahaprabhu says to Nityanand Prabhu

suno suno nityananda, suno haridas
sarvatra amar ajna koroho prakas prati ghare ghare giya koro ei bhiksa
bolo `krsna’, bhajo krsna, koro krsna-siksa iha bai arna boliba,
bolaiba dina-avasane asi’ amare kohiba

Translation:

“Listen, listen, Nityananda! Listen, Haridasa! Make My command known everywhere! Go from house to house and beg from all the residents, `Please chant Krsna’s name, worship Krsna, and teach others to follow Krsna’s instructions.’ Do not speak, or cause anyone to speak, anything other than this.” [CB Madhya-Khanda 13.8-10]

From this Antar-dvipa, Mahaprabhu distributed His Prema rasa to all over the world. He drowned three worlds in His bhakti rasa. What is this bhakti rasa? It is said that even if one gets a drop of this bhakti rasa, that can drown the whole world. Imagine how huge that must be.

Anila premera…, this drowned the whole world. Therefore, this Mayapur Dham which is in Navadvipa and how big is it?

sola-krosa navadvipa madhye yaha yaha
varniva ekhana bhakta gana suna taha

Translation:

Devotees, listen! I will now describe everything within the thirty-two miles of Nvadvipa.

sola-krosa madhye navadvipera pramana
sodasa pravaha tatha sada vidyamana

Translation:

Sixteen rivers exist eternally within the thirty-two miles of Navadvipa.

Sola-krosa navadvipa,it is of sixteen krosas.Shodasa krosa tad sada vidyaman, what is there in this? Shodasa prabhava, this is the mood,

golokera antavarti yei mahavana
mayapura navadvipe jana bhakta gana

golokera antavarti yei mahavana, just as there is Mahavan in Golok Vrndavana, mayapura navadvipe jana bhakta gana, we should understand that this Mayapur is that same Madhavan in Navadvipa.

svetadvipa vaikuntha goloka vrndavana
navadvipe saba tattva acche sarva ksana

Translation:

Svetadvipa, Goloka and Vaikuntha are always present in Navadvipa.

This is given in Bhakti Ratnakar. Therefore, when we hear the glories, mahima, mahi is Earth and ma means mother. So, this earth is like a mother. So, is this mother? She is Radha Thakurani, who has cut down all Maya sakti. Lord says, as soon as someone surrenders unto Me I protect him.

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ

Translation:

As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā. [BG. 4.11]

Lord is putting condition but when mother is giving shelter, she cut down all conditions. Because there is causeless mercy, karuna in the mother. Therefore, Radharani Herself manifested this Dham and Mayadevi prays to Mahaprabhu in Simanta-dvipa, ‘I have given a lot of trouble to the living entities. Please give me shelter.’

So, one who wants to drown in prema rasa, who wants to drink sankirtan prema rasa, and wants to be saved from Maya, he should take shelter of Navadvipa, Mayapur. Bodily, mentally and by speech, any how he should take the shelter.

Nāmāśraya kori’ jatane tumi thākaha āpana kāje [from udilo aruṇa pūraba-bhāge, Gītāvalī 6, by Bhakti Vinod Thakur].This is nama asraya as well as dhama asraya. But one need to take this asraya, shelter very carefully, not whimsically. When we hear again and again the glories of Dham, then that mood arises.

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. [ŚB 10.2.32]

We have fallen down from our position of imagined superiority because we have no regard for Lord’s lotus feet.

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]

By the process of hearing, we have to awake this bhava again. Sun never sets down; just by the change is direction we think that it has set down. Krsna or Krsna bhakti only changes the direction as we consider the material world as Absolute truth and reject the satyam param dhimahi. To remember this Absolute truth we need to hear these glories, should take shelter of the Dham, should take shelter of the Dhamavasi devotees. Then this parama siddhi

śuddha-bhakata-caraṇa-reṇu,
bhajana-anukūla
bhakata-sevā, parama-siddhi,
prema-latikāra mūla

Translation:

The dust of the lotus feet of pure devotees, enthusiastic devotional service, and service to the pure devotees of the highest order are the roots of the creeper of devotion.  [Verse 1 from Song ‘Suddha Bhakata Carana Renu’ by Bhakti Vinod Thakura]

Then automatically this creeper of Prema bhakti gets nourishment. As it is said

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]

This seva, service should be done by the tongue and also by karmana manasa vaca buddhya, by all means. By understanding the mood of devotional service, we can understand the glories of the Dham in true sense and can imbibe that mood. The roots get nourished. Sevonmukhe hi jivhadau, from tongue also we should do service and physically means karmana manasa vaca buddhya, by all means having this mood of devotional service, we can in true sense can take shelter of the Dham.

Sub-theme: Vrndavan Dham in Navadvipa Dham

This Mayapur Dham or Navadvipa Dham is non different than Goloka Vrndavana. Jiva Goswami and Bhakti Vinod Thakur have given clear definition that, Mayapur is Gokula Mahavan and Srivas Angan is Rasasthali of Vrndavana. Ishodyan is the kunjavali of Radhakunda. Bamun Pukur, the place of Chanda Kazi is Mathura. Madhuvana is ..where …took rest, it is known as Sakti pitha. All tirthas reside here. Maha Varanasi, Kasi is also here. Godrum Dvipa is Nandishvara and Madhya dvipa is Naimisaranya. Brahmanpur is Pushkar tirtha. Uccha hatta is Kuruksetra. Panchaveni is Prayag ksetra and Fulia is representative of Giri Govardhana. Koladvipa is Bahulavan and Samudragadha is Gangasagar. Champahati is Khadirvan and Rtupur is Kumudvan. Vidyanagar is Vyasapitha, it is known as Saradapith. Jambudvipa is Bhadravan. Modadrumdvipa is Bhandirvan or Ayodhya. Those who have not visited Ayodhya can come to Modadrumdvipa. Arkatila is Suryakunda. Mahatpur is Kamyavan. Rudradvipa is Kailasha Dham. Belapukur, the place of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s grandfather is Bilvavan. Rukmapur is Sankarsana ksetra. So there are many details about this. We have given in short. Time is short.

ārādhyo bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayas tad-dhāma vṛndāvanaṁ
ramya kaścid upāsanā vraja-vadhu-varga-vīrya kalpita
śrīmad-bhāgavatam amalaṁ purāṇaṁ premā pum-artho mahān
śrī-caitanya mahāprabhor matam idaṁ tatradaraḥ na paraḥ

Translation:

“It is the conclusive opinion of Lord Caitanya that the most worshipable form of the Lord is that of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja. Vṛndāvana Dhāma is the topmost worshipable abode. The highest and most pleasing type of worship of Kṛṣṇa is done by the vraja gopīs. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the spotless authority on everything. And kṛṣṇa-prema is the fifth and highest goal of life” [Caitanya-matta-mañjuṣā commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura]

So here also we find vrajavadhu; Gadadhara, who is in male form. And that Lord Krsna, aradhyo bhagavan brajesa tanaya, who was worshipped in Vraja is now worshipped in Navadvipa.

So Bhakti Vinod Thakur says we have to start the parikrama from Yogapitha where devotees meet with the Lord. So from here we go to Nandan Acharya bhavan where Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Nityananda Prabhu. So like this we need to imbibe the mood. This will help us in our spiritual life. By taking shelter of Krsna Bhakti we should progress on this path. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Thank you very much.

Japa Talk – 07-03-2024
[H.H. Lokanath Swami Maharaj]
Date: 07-03-2024
Sripad Ishvara Puri Disappearance Day

 je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela Īśvara Purīthakur

Translation:

He, who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy–where has such a personality as Ishwar Puri gone? [Je anilo Prema dhana 1]

Śrī Īśvara Purī – Trunk of Tree of Devotional Service

All glories to the disappearance day festival of Srila Īśvara Purī! He brought the treasure of devotional service unto Krishna. He got this treasure of devotional service from Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. All glories to Śrī Mādhavendra Purī!

jaya śrī mādhavapurī kṛṣṇa-prema-pūra
bhakti-kalpatarura teṅho prathama aṅkura

Translation:

All glories to Śrī Mādhavendra Purī, the storehouse of all devotional service unto Kṛṣṇa! He is a desire tree of devotional service, and it is in him that the seed of devotional service first fructified. [CC Adi 9.10]

Hari Hari!

śrī-īśvarapurī-rūpe aṅkura puṣṭa haila
āpane caitanya-mālī skandha upajila

Translation:

The seed of devotional service next fructified in the form of Śrī Īśvara Purī, and then the gardener Himself, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, became the main trunk of the tree of devotional service.[CC Adi 9.11]

In the Adi Lila of Caitanya Caritamrita, it is mentioned by Krishan Das Kaviraj Goswami Maharaj that Śrī Mādhavendra Purīwas the ocean of devotional service or he was the is the storehouse of all devotional service unto Kṛṣṇa or he brought the devotional service. He was a desire tree of devotional service, and the seed of devotional service first fructified, these seeds may have fructified at many places. However this seed of devotional service first of all fructified in the form of Śrī Īśvara Purī, All glories to Śrī Īśvara Purī! We are celebrating the disappearance day festival of same Śrī Īśvara Purī. We are trying as it is difficult to celebratethe disappearance day festival as it is said, “heno prabhu kotha gela Īśvara Purīthakur”. It is difficult as he went away depriving all of us from his association and he proceeded. He is a desire tree of devotional service. The seed which is fructified from Śrī Mādhavendra Purī in the form of Śrī Īśvara Purī, same seed ,“āpane caitanya-mālī skandha upajila”, became the main trunk of the tree of devotional service. If Sri Madhavendra Puri, is the seed of devotional service, which fructifiedin the form Īśvara Purī and it became the trunk of Caitanya lila.

Initiation of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Śrī Īśvara Purī appeared in the place called “Kumara Hutt” more famous nearby is Kalyani. At that place, Śrī Īśvara Purī appeared. Sri Krishna CaitanyaMahāprabhu, when He became the disciple of Śrī Īśvara Purī, once He was offering obeisance to the birth place of His spiritual master, then He got a special gift from there and that was the dust of that special place. He put some dust in the corner of his dhoti and tied the knot. Then He started from there. Thereafter, every day, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to take a pinch of it. In this way, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu respected the holy birth place of His spiritual master. Following His footsteps, other devotees also used to carry the dust of that place. As a result, a big pond was created there, called, “Caitanya Dhoba” as so much of dust devotees had taken out and continue till date. I also got the opportunity to go there, when we were coming back in pad-yatra from Dwarka – Kanya Kumari – Mayapur. We were celebrating that year fifth centennial of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu in our pad yatra. I can’t tell everything in this much detail. I had to play the role of spiritual master as GBC has designated me as an initiating spiritual master. The first time when I initiated my disciples during the pad yatra halt at a place which was near to Kumara Hatta, the birth place of the spiritual master of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When I became the spiritual master for the first time then I gave the initiation near to that place. I am also saying this as the priest of that initiation ceremony was  Srila Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaj. He became the priest. When Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu disappeared just like today is the disappearance day of Śrī Īśvara Purī, we feel his separation. Similarly when Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu disappeared and was no longer in this material world then all were very devasted. Among them was, Srila Sriwas Thakur was very much disturbed. He didn’t want to stay at Mayapur or Sriwas angan as all of those places would remind him of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then he left Sriwas anagan and he also left Mayapur. Do you know where did he go? He went to Kumara Hatta, the birth place of the spiritual master of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu and he started living there. All glories to the holy place of Kumara Hatta!

Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu has set this scene completely. He germinated the seed of devotional service in the garden of the heart of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. His disciple becomes Śrī Īśvara Purī. Moreover, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who doesn’t require to be a disciple. Is it required? Krishnam vande jagat gurum. Who Himself is a spiritual master, still to set an example in front of the whole world, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Himself becomes a disciple. Who becomes the spiritual master? Śrī Īśvara Purī becomes or is made His spiritual master. The spiritual master of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu!

As I said the other day, Srila Prabhupada used to say with lot of pride, “My Gurumaharaj!” All glories to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur! Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu also used to say, “My Gurumaharaj,Śrīpad Īśvara Purī, My Gurumaharaj!” Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhugave lot of respect and was very much humble in relation to His spiritual masterŚrī Īśvara Purī.

Once Śrī Īśvara Purī was staying at the place of Gopinath acarya, I think so. I cant say exactly. He was writing a book there called, “Sri Krishna Lilamrita”. As he was writing, he used to teach it also. He used to call Gadadhar pandit at his place and tell him. Sometimes Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu also used to go there and hear this “Sri Krishna Lilamrita” from His spiritual master, Śrī Īśvara Purī. Once, Śrī Īśvara Purīsaid, “O Nimai! Can you do editing of my book? You can tell some improvements in it.”Atthat time Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Your emotions in this book are very dear to Lord as He is bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ! There can’t be any mistake in this. Evenif there is any technical fault, as it is mentioned in the verse also”

mūrkho vadati viṣṇāya dhīro vadati viṣṇave ubhayos
tu samaṃ puṇyaṃ bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ || 108 ||

Translation:

“At the time of offering obeisances to Lord Viṣṇu, a foolish person chants viṣṇāya namaḥ (this is improper due to faulty grammar) and a learned person chants viṣṇave namaḥ (this is the correct form). But both achieve equal piety by their offering of obeisances, because Lord Śrī Janārdana sees the sentiment of the living being, in other words, He sees the degree of devotion, or in other words, He awards the result accordingly (He does not see one’s foolishness or intelligence). [CB 1.11.108]

If a devotee says chants viṣṇāya namaḥ instead of Vishnave namah, although he should say Vishnave namah, but as we hear Ramaya namah or Shivay namah. Thus at the time of offering obeisances to Lord Viṣṇu, one says viṣṇāya namaḥ, in that series further one will say  Radhaya namah, however it is incorrect but Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ‘bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ!’because Lord Śrī Janārdana sees the sentiments of the devotees.

During those days, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu was performing His vidya vilas pastime. He was very expert in the scriptures and used to defeat many learned scholars every day but He didn’t do any scriptural debate with Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. If there was anyone else or if Gadadhar Pandit would have said any wrong thing grammatically, then Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu must had corrected him and defeated him. However, maryada-vyatikram as we were discussing this in the Bhagavatam class day before yesterday. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not cross this line of respect.

When Śrī Īśvara Purī was living in Navadvip, then Caitanya Mahāprabhu had invited him for lunch, meaning, He had invited him to Yoga peeth. On that day Saci mata did not cook the food rather Nimai Himself cooked the food and offered that food to His spiritual master. When Nimai’s father had passed away then Nimai went to Gaya to perform the last rites at the famous place of ‘Vishnupad’. There also He met Śrī Īśvara Purī again and He cooked food Himself and offered to Śrī Īśvara Purī. It is also quite possible that first initiation ceremony might have held. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu was begging for initiation from Śrī Īśvara Purī, which he gave. He gave the mantra and initiated Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Hare KṛṣṇaHare Kṛṣṇa KṛṣṇaKṛṣṇa Hare Hare – Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

He got this mantra as well as ‘Das akshari mantra’. Immediately, love originated in the heart ofSri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhuand He started having the symptoms of ecstatic love. He was very much impressed by the power of this mantra.

kibā mantra dilā, gosāñi, kibā tāra bala
japite japite mantra karila pāgala

Translation:

My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? I have become mad simply by chanting this mahā-mantra!. [CC Adi 7.81]

Unparalleled Faith in Spiritual Master

While taking the mantra and getting mad on the way, He managed to return home. But He was having this question, “My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? His faith in the feet of the spiritual master is unparallel. He said there that, “I have come to this holy place. There are many other holy places but for me you are the holy place. Besides I have come here so that my ancestors are delivered. Just by seeing you all of My ancestors are going to be delivered.” Hari bol! Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu was saying such words to Śrī Īśvara Purī in Gaya.

In Varanasi, when debate was going on and the glorification of the holy name was to be established, then the debate was going on with Prakashanada Saraswati. There also, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,

prabhu kahe — śuna, śrīpāda, ihāra kāraṇa
guru more mūrkha dekhi’ karila śāsana

Translation:

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied to Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, “My dear sir, kindly hear the reason. My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me. [CC Adi 7.71]

Srila Prabhupada used to say this again and again that one should consider oneself a fool in the presence of the spiritual master. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu also expressed similar emotions in that assembly, “My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me. You are good for nothing. You cannot do other things.

harer nāma harer nāma, harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva, nāsty eva gatir anyathā

Translation:

In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.’ ” [CC Madhya 6.242]

You just take the holy name. You are not eligible to read the scriptures. Mayawadis consider themselves fortunate.

Vedantha Vakhyeshu Sada ramantho,
Bhikshannamathrena trishtimantha,
Vishokamantha karane charantha,
Kaupeenavantha Khalu bhaghyavantha -1

Translation:

Roaming ever in the insights of Vendanta

Ever pleased, with his begger’s morseWandering onwards, his heart free from Sorrow

Blest indeed is the wearer of lion cloth [ Kaupina Panchakam by Sri Adi Shankaracharya 1]

Mayawadis say, “we don’t have much requirements as we wear lion cloth only. we are very fortunate as we are always roaming in the insights of Vedanata. We continuously read them”

However Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu further said,

bhajagovindam bhajagovindam, govindam bhajamuudhamate.
sampraapte sannihite kaale, nahi nahirakshati dukrijnkarane .. (1)

Translation:

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda O Fool ! The Rules of Grammar

Will not save you at the time of death [ Bhaja Govindam Stotram 1]

Dedication and Service Attitude towards Spiritual Master

Once Madhvender Puri went to Jagannath Puri to collect the sandal and while coming back, he reached Remuna, near Kshirchor Gopinath temple, Remuna. There he got the orders of the Lord in his dream, “I am the gopal of Vrindavan. There is no differ between Gopinath and Gopal of Vrindavan, therefore, you can apply sandal paste onto Gopinath. It will reach to me eventually.” Thus, Mādhavendra Purīdidn’t went back to Vrindavan. He stayed there only and spent his old age.Atthat time Śrī Īśvara Purī got the opportunity to do vapu sewa to his spiritual master. While doing all the humble services, Ishvara Puri even cleaned up his stool and urine.

īśvara-purī gosāi kare śrī-pada sevana
sva-haste karena mala-mūtrādi mārjana
nirantara kṛṣṇa-nāma karāya smaraṇa
kṛṣṇa-nāma kṛṣṇa-līlā śunāya anukṣaṇa
tuṣṭa haā purī tāṅre kaila āliṅgana
vara dilā kṛṣṇe tomāra ha-uka prema-dhana
sei haite īśvara-purī premera sāgara
rāmacandra-purī haila sarva-nindākara

Translation:

Īśvara Purī, the spiritual master of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, performed service to Mādhavendra Purī, cleaning up his stool and urine with his own hand.

Īśvara Purī was always chanting the holy name and pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa for Mādhavendra Purī to hear. In this way he helped Mādhavendra Purī remember the holy name and pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa at the time of death.

Pleased with Īśvara Purī, Mādhavendra Purī embraced him and gave him the benediction that he would be a great devotee and lover of Kṛṣṇa.

Thus Īśvara Purī became like an ocean of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, whereas Rāmacandra Purī became a dry speculator and a critic of everyone else.  [ CC Antya 8.28-31]

Here, it is mentioned about one more disciple. Śrī Īśvara Purī was servant to his spiritual master, guru sevi. However, there are certain disciples who are guru bhogi or guru tyagi or guru drohi. There was one more disciple of Shri Mādhavendra Puri,Rāmacandra Purī. He also came to Remuna during that time when Shri Mādhavendra Puri was in the last leg of his journey. He was in the vipramlamh bhava as he was feeling the pangs of separation from Lord Krishna. He was feeling it as well as he was expressing by saying, “When will I able to attain Lord? Lord had gone to Mathura. When will he come back? When I will be able to see Him?” Shri Mādhavendra Puri, was felling such pain of separation and at that time, Rāmacandra Purī arrived there and said

tumi—-purna-brahmananda, karaha smarana
brahmavit hana kene karaha rodana?

Translation:

“If you are in full transcendental bliss,” he said, “you should now remember only Brahman. Why are you crying?” [CC Antya 8.21]

You yourself are absolute brahman, Aham Brahmasmi! Realise this and then where is the separation? Feeling of separation won’t trouble you anymore. Hari Hari!

suni’ madhavendra-mane krodha upajila
‘dura, dura, papistha’ bali’ bhartsana karila

Translation

Hearing this instruction, Mādhavendra Purī, greatly angry, rebuked him by saying, “Get out, you sinful rascal! [CC Antya 8.22]

He embraced one disciple and showered all of his love on Īśvara Purī. On the other hand, another disciple of Shri Mādhavendra Puri, is doing maryada-vyatikrama, i.e. transgressing all the etiquettes. Rāmacandra Purī is a stunning example of it. “Stay away! O Sinful! Stay away! Go from here!” He sent him away!

more mukhanādekhābi tui, yāoyathi-tathi
tore dekhi’ maile mora habeasad-gati

Translation:

“Don’t show your face to me! Go anywhere else you like. If I die seeing your face, I shall not achieve the destination of my life.[CC Antya 8.24]

kṛṣṇa nāpāinumuñimaroṅāpanāraduḥkhe
more ‘brahma’ upadeśe ei chāramūrkhe”

Translation:

“I am dying without achieving the shelter of Kṛṣṇa, and therefore I am greatly unhappy. Now this condemned foolish rascal has come to instruct me about Brahman.”[CC Antya 8.25]

sei haite īśvara-purī–‘premera sāgara’
rāmacandra-purī haila sarva-nindākara

Translation:

Thus Īśvara Purī became like an ocean of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, whereas Rāmacandra Purī became a dry speculator and a critic of everyone else.[CC Antya 8.31]

sāgara’ and nindākara, these two rhyming words are being used here.

mahad-anugraha-nigrahera ‘saksi’ dui-jane
ei dui-dvare sikhaila jaga-jane

Translation:

Īśvara Purī received the blessing of Mādhavendra Purī, whereas Rāmacandra Purī received a rebuke from him. Therefore these two persons, Īśvara Purī and Rāmacandra Purī, are examples of the objects of a great personality’s benediction and punishment. Mādhavendra Purī instructed the entire world by presenting these two examples.. [CC Antya 8.32]

One received the blessing whereas another received a rebuke. In this way, Mādhavendra Purī, has given this teaching that whom does teachers give benediction and who are rebuked. Īśvara Purī has given orders to two disciples, one was Govind and the second one was Kashishwar. Both of them were god brothers of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Later they become the personal servants of Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Jagannath Puri and serve Him. Such types of ideals were also put forth by Īśvara Purī.

Heights of Humility

He was very humble.

trnad api sunicena taror api sahiSriuna
amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih

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. [Shikshashtakam 3]

He was a vivid example of humility. While attending any program, he would come quietly and sit among the masses. It’s a new place or new people so they won’t know that whether Īśvara Purī has come or not. Even if he has come, who is Īśvara Purī, no one would know. How did people come to know it? When kirtan or katha was going on then by hearing that kirtan and katha Īśvara Purī would come to ecstasy and started rolling on the floor. He would get goose bumps! Then everyone would know, Ah! That’s Īśvara Purī”. If one wanted to know “Who is Īśvara Purī?” there are thousands of people sitting but which one is Īśvara Purī? Lets do kirtan and katha. Just by hearing Krishna katha and by remembering it, Īśvara Purī would have all the eight symptoms of ecstasy.

All glories to SripadĪśvara Purī

Gaur Premanand Hari Hari bol!

Date: 6 March 2024
Speaker: HH Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami Maharaj, HH Sundar Chaitanya Swami Maharaj,
HG Anant Shesha Prabhu Ji, HG Ishtadeva prabhu Ji, HG Dharmaraj prabhu Ji, HH Lokanath
Swami Maharaj.

Topic: 1st Disappearance Day of HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu Ji

Anant Shesh Prabhu Ji:
Today is especially the day of disappearance of the HG Dharma Avatara Prahu Ji. He is also a disciple of Guru Maharaj. All of you are requested to organize Kirtan for them today in your home.

HH Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami Maharaj:

Today we are celebrating the first anniversary of disappearance day of Dharmaraj Prabhu ji. The mood on the disappearance day of a devotee is both, happy and sad. we are very happy because such an exalted soul is successful in life. we are very confident about this that he was surely remembering the krishna at his last time. By remembering Krishna at the end of life, one goes back to the spiritual world.

BG 8.6:
yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ
tyajaty ante kalevaram
taṁ tam evaiti kaunteya
sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ

Translation:

Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kuntī, that state he will attain without fail. So, we are very confident that HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu has gone back, back to Godhead. His life was successful. At the same time, we are also sad because we are missing and feel separation from his wonderful association. So, we are experiencing separation from Dharma Avatar Prabhu. So, to help us to overcome this feeling of separation. Because separation from a Vaishnava, is a very healthy emotion as it brings us closer to the Vaishnava. Closer to Vaishnava brings us closer to Krishna. So, this morning we will be observing Shabdanjali for HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu ji. we are also being establishing the Pushpa Samadhi of Prabhu ji.

Shraddha means faith. Faith develops with hearing the glories of that devotee.
Thank You very Much! Hare Krishna!
HH Sundar Chaitanya Goswami Maharaj:
I’ll also say some special memories.

Hare Krishna! I’ve been to Aravade many times and also meeting His Grace Dharma Avatar Prabhu (Appa). Dharma Avatar Prabhu is the elder brother of Guru Maharaj. Guru Maharaj’s disciples although he didn’t speak Hindi, but still some Hindi we spoke. He’s also very very
affectionate towards Guru Maharaj and that reminded me also Guru Maharaj. Last time, he was saying that Guru Maharaj is attracted by Lokanath Goswami and his name is also Lokanath. Guru Maharaj also went to Vrindavan and Lokanath Goswami also went to Vrindavan. So, Guru Maharaj at one time was saying that Guru Maharaj was very attracted when he was given the name Lokanath and he was attracted to Lokanath Goswami in the same way. Lokanath Goswami went to Vrindavan and Guru Maharaj also went to Vrindavan and also you know you’ve heard of Tukaram Maharaj. Prabhupada said he is our Tukaram Maharaj. Srila Prabhupada introduced Guru Maharaj as Sant Tukaram.

So, here is another past time when Vishwaroop left went to Pandharpur and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also went to find him. This was an excuse but was able to go out although this was just a reason and he wanted to go there. So, when Guru Maharaj left home, his brother came behind him to find out. Guru Maharaj left home and went to Mumbai to join ISKCON.

His brother also went to find him just like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to find Vishwaroop and when Guru Maharaj went to Mumbai.

Then Dharma Avatara Prabhu ji went to find them so it’s a similar past time with Vishwaroop and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So, here it’s just like Mahaprabhu and Vishwaroop and the family members want him (Guru Maharaj) back and his mother wanted Guru Maharaj to become a doctor. So, Dharma Avtara Prabhu ji wanted to bring Guru Maharaj back to his home and they wanted to see Guru Maharaj on a motorcycle, but he came with a bullock cart. Dharma Avatara Prabhu is also true to his name, his name is Dharma Avatar. he is extremely religious, even before joining the ISKCON. I have seen him always with his very Vedic clothes.

He never wears pants. From his very birth Guru Maharaj says that he has been in his Vedic clothes since his birth he has never ever worn western cloths. So, that’s what I was saying is very true to his name given by Guru Maharaj and one more point I want to share is, just like in Vrindavan, four brothers of Nanda Maharaj, Upananda is the elder. but how is it that Nanda Maharaj became the king. Like in Vrindavan’s Lila. it is seen that all brothers had Upananda gesture, but still why was Nanda Maharaj made king Upananda was supposed to be the king?

Nanda Maharaj became the king because a great personality had to appear in his house, Lord Krishna. That’s why he became the king. Nanda Maharaj was made king because in his own house actually Lord Krishna was going to be born. So, although Dharma Avatar Prabhu is the
eldest brother, but Guru Maharaj became the spiritual master, the king.

Guru Maharaj also extremely dear to Dharma Avatar Prabhu and we can see his love for Guru Maharaj through his activities. We can see how Guru Maharaj is also arranging and helping to have his Samadhi. Guru Maharaj is offering his love today by offering the flower of Samadhi
to him.

Hare Krishna!
HG Anant Shesha Prabhu Ji:
Whenever we have gone to Aravade, we get to see the affectionate love of Dharma Avatara Prabhu towards Guru Maharaj. His love was expressed through his actions and feelings. When we went to Maharashtra, he used to treat all the people very well. Just like he used to feed Guru Maharaj at his house, he used to invite all the people to his house in the same way. One of the major orders of Sri Prabhupada was for Guru Maharaj Ji to preach the nectar of Krishna consciousness in his village. This January we have completed 50 years of the Hare Krishna movement in this village.

Dharma Avatar Prabhu has been supporting this movement since the beginning. The land on which Radha Gopal temple is situated was also donated by Dharam Avatar Prabhu to ISKCON. Dharma Avatar Prabhu has also written a book on the entire life of Guru Maharaj, its name is
‘Loknath Aamche Jeevan’. Loknath is our life. This is a very beautiful book in which the early days of Guru Maharaj have been told. In this, Dharma Avatar Prabhu Sita Rani Mataji and many people from the family of Maharaj Ji have been told. We bow down respectfully at the feet
of the Lord asking that He bless us. Shri Krishna Chaitanya Swami Maharaj was telling that the one who remembers God at the last moment attains Bhagwat Dham but the Dharma Avatar Prabhu is the one who is remembered personally by Guru Maharaj. So, there is no doubt that
Krishna will remember him. Therefore, we respectfully bow down at his feet.

Ishtadeva Prabhu Ji:
Hare Krishna!

I could not get much association of HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu Ji. In all the Vyasa puja of Guru Maharaj, Nandalal Prabhu, HG Dharma Avatar prabhu, Guru Maharaj’s sister would always be present, nicely presenting the childhood past times of Guru Maharaj. Nandalal Prabhu ji told
us the funny childhood pastimes of Guru Maharaj, like climbing on buffalo, Jumping from the trees etc. But HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu ji seems serious.

I have met him while making arrangement for temple opening in Aravade. Aravade is a small village. There was a small school there, where we have to set camps for the accommodation for the devotees.

HG Dharma Avatar has very much affection for me, whenever he would see me, he would embrace me and he would request me to stay in Aravade.

He would respect Guru Maharaj as an elder brother although Guru Maharaj was his younger brother. He would always be very strict about the rules of the temple. He is like a Royal man.

He did not seem like an ordinary villager.
HG Dharmaraj Prabhu Ji:
I had a special association of HG Dharma Avatar prabhu in 1995, when I went to Aravade. He took care of me like a father. There is a beautiful garden near ISKCON Aravade. He was instrumental in maintaining the same. Once there was draught in Aravade, but Prabhu Ji,
somehow, managed to preserve the garden.

He was keen that devotees attend Sandhya Aarti, Ekadashi Prasadam distribution, and Sunday feasts. He was always on the move just like Srila Prabhupada. HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu ji’s mother would lovingly serve him Prasadam, but he couldn’t, as he had some stomach issues.
He would never speak rudely to his mother and was bereaved at her passing away. HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu had fatherly love for Guru Maharaj. He would serve Prasadam to all Guru Maharaj’s foreigner disciples.

When Guru Maharaj’s Mother left her body, he was near Aravade for Ram Navami. He left his political connections due to devotional service to the temple. He would treat his opposition party people also lovingly. He would always be very strict about the rules of the temple. He left his political connections due to devotional service to the temple. He would treat his opposition party people also lovingly.

Last few days he stopped speaking to everyone and would silently mediate on the lotus feet of the Lord. He also meditated on Guru Maharaja so for. Surely, he would have attained the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, just like his mother, who also remembered Guru Maharaja in her last breath.

Hare Krishna!
All Glories to HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu ji!
HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj:
Je anilo Prema dhana koruna Prachur
Heno prabhu kotha gela Dharma Avatar prabhu!

I have associated and reciprocate with many many souls, with you all too. Amongst all, my relationship with HG Dharma Avatar prabhu has been special.

With others, I have associated after joining ISKCON. But with HG Dharma Avtar prabhu, I had daily reciprocations since i was born.
When I was born, he was the first one to write on the wooden beams of my house in Aravade with a chalk. It’s still present on the same Beam. He was like a father figure for me even when my father was present. When my father, Sri Bhagvan Patil passed away, he became my father.

When I joined the Hare Krishna movement in 1972, just like Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was looking for his brother Vishwarupa, He also came looking for me and found me in Hare Krishna Land, Juhu. I would never do anything against his wishes. So, when he asked me to go back to
the home, I couldn’t disobey him. I had promised to the temple president, HG Giriraj Prabhu that I will come back for sure. I had to keep both the promises. After returning back home, my brother told me that we will make a temple in the village for you, no need to go out. So, he did so I stayed there for a while and then returned to Mumbai.

Giriraj Prabhu was happy that I came back. I sent my annual report to Srila Prabhupada, in which I mentioned that one villager was ready to chant 16 rounds. On this Srila Prabhupada replied that he should be made the president of ISKCON in that village. My mother, father and
brother, also wants a temple in that village. So, through Srila Prabhupada, Krishna expressed His desire to establish a temple in Aravade, Sri Sri Radha Gopal temple. To run the temple was a huge task there which was nicely carried on by HG Dharma Avatar Prabhu. He was active in its construction as well. There is a big contribution of him in the temple. He was more concerned about this temple than me. He was handling all the responsibilities officially and unofficially. I am his youngest brother. He has fatherly love for me. I was following his instruction till now. And then… I became his spiritual Master and he is my disciple. He follows all of my instructions. He always pays his obeisances towards me. He
is the ideal person of my family and of my village too. When he became my disciple, around 40 members of my family became my disciple.

Whenever I reached Aravade, he was the first person to receive and greet me and also the last person to whom I embrace, when I have to come back.

When it’s my time of leaving from Aravade, it was unbearable for him. May be, he knew that it was our last meeting.

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

It’s the time of pleasure as well as of grief.
Hare Krishna!
All Glories to HG Dharma Avatara Prabhu!

Srila Prabhupada says:

Shloka

The attachment to Krsna’s bhakti is difficult.

Shloka

Shraddha means faith in Lord.

Shloka

Everything is fulfilled with bhakti.

Shloka

Seriousness. Lord says:

Sarva..

This is full faith. You all are sitting here that means you have faith.

Shloka’

No one is alone. Bhagavan wants all of us to come to him.

Shloka

He is the well wisher of all.

Shloka

He is our friend. Faith in bhakti is the first thing. No need to yoga, medidation, nothing. Then to sandhusanga who are nitya siddha. The symptom of sadhu is :

Shloka

That they are doing bhajan all the time.  We are constant , only our body is destroyed.

Shloka

This is knowledge. What is siddhi?

Shloka

Siddha person is very rare who wants to know god. With association we can have siddi. So first step is faith then sadhu sanga. We should go to sadhu or guru or shastra

Shloka

Bhaktivinodthanursays :

Shloka

Sadhu sanga help us remove anarthanivirthi.Avaithyastreesanga is bad. To have association with unmarried women is wrong.

Shloka’

We should do bhajan without paap. One who is doing bhajan we will be freed from anarthas. Ruci is important. Nistha is important after that. Sravan kirtan is also important.

Shloka

Bhagavad bhakti is present in every one’s heart. Just we need to hear and do kirtan. In the association of devotees Ceto darpan Marjan can happen. Ruci, Nistha in Godhead,

Shloka

Bhagavan is friend of everyone but for devotees he is best friend. Those who say God is fromless are fools. They destroy such people.

Shloka

Bcoz of the association of maya our mind is polluted. Kama and lobha is present in our heart. We should Krsna katha to remove it. Then asakti and then we can achieve bhagavadprema. This knowledge is for everyone. Knowledge is theotical. He should brng this knowledge in practice. Brahma jyanidishonor Lord that’s why they fall down.

Shloka

Science is to know Lord.

Shloka

We can know about the subject of Lord by Lord himself. We should do Brahma Kalpana. When Lord is present himself, then there is no need of Lord. You all are jyani, then we should learn through Knowledge only. To know Lord is not easy but when we cave kripa then only we can understand.

Shloka

Bhagavn ka naam, roop ,guna , vaishetha we can’t understand.

If we engage our tongue in the understanding him then that is a god thing.

Shloka

Bhagavan is one thing which is understood by different perspectives.

Shloka

Bhagavn ko parmatamaroop se dekhtehai. In cc

Shloka

One who loves  god sees that in god consciousness. He sees god in everything,

Shloka

Bhagavad prema we should attain.

Shloka

In Brahama Samhita:

Shloka

We should hv eyes to see Lord. They will faint on actually seeing God.

Shloka

Bhakt can only see god.

Shloka

Through knowledge we can know a little bit. Only bhakti is means to know im because Lord becomes the person’s.

Shloka

Narishma dev gave darshan to Lord. Hrianyakashipu asked is your Lord present in this pillar Prahalad Maharaj said yes. Tjose who hv fauth to them only Lord is revealed.

Shloka

Shloka

Only through devotional service we can see Lord. We follow our dharma but if we don’t hv faith on the katha of Lord then it is of no use.

Shloka

Shloka

He should not desire somethimg from Lord. Devotiona service is important. Those who are engaged in the devotional service, those who are always engaged in the service of Lord, they can never fall down. Those who are engaged in Bhakti 24*7 that person is actually doing bhakti. When people leave dog seva, car seva and they are engaged in bhagavad seva then that is nice. Bhagvad bhakti is given by Lord hilself. WE should take up this in our life. Then only we can be freed from this cycle of death and birth. Just by making buildings and cars we wouldn’t improve our life but by doing bhakti we can

Shloka

This life is successful even a little bit that is nice. We should kirtan everytime.

Shloka

Shloka

Only Krsna’s kirtan is important.He should dp it reapeatdly.

Shloka

We should read SB daily.

Shloka

Our    is destroyed by reading SB daily.  Bhakt bhagavad and granthbhagavad both are important. We should hear lectures everyday.

Shloka

We should be always be engaged in the services of the Lord. He is our prabhu.

Shloka

This is for intelligent people.

Iskcon Ghaziabad.

Japa talk 4 March 2024
Speaker : H.H. Loknath swami maharaj
Theme : Understanding panch tatva

Today we will read the seventh canto of Adi Leela of Chaitanya Charitamrita. Here  Sri Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami has explained the principles behind panch tatva.

jaya jaya mahāprabhu śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
tāṅhāra caraṇāśrita yei, sei dhanya

Translation

Let me offer glorification to the Supreme Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. One who has taken shelter of His lotus feet is the most glorified person. [CC Ādi 7.2]

I will read the verses written in Bangla language. Unfortunately This is not my mother tongue but I will read. I will translate it and narrate it to you. I may make a few mistakes in it.

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ki jai !

Any one who takes shelter of the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is a blessed person.. And he is the most glorified person. Have you all taken shelter of the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ? You all are blessed devotees. The people who are wealthy are known as dhani. But whoever takes shelter of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is also known as dhani. Along with the shelter of the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu we also take shelter of the Holy Name. And we earn Holy Name. You all are dhani. You try to understand what Dhani  means. The one who has dhan is dhani ! Who does not have wealth of Holyname or live for Krsna is poorest. His life is useless.

pūrve gurv-ādi chaya tattve kaila namaskāra
guru-tattva kahiyāchi, ebe pāṅcera vicāra

Translation

In the beginning I have discussed the truth about the spiritual master. Now I shall try to explain the Pañca-tattva. [CC Ādi 7.3]

First spiritual master and other similar persons are worshiped and then Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami gives his thoughts about panch tatva. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself is a tatva.

pañca-tattva avatīrṇa caitanyera saṅge
pañca-tattva lañā karena saṅkīrtana raṅge

Translation

These five tattvas incarnate with Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and thus the Lord executes His saṅkīrtana movement with great pleasure. [CC Ādi 7.4]

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared with other four tatva. And He did sankirtan with all these four tatva.

pañca-tattva — eka-vastu, nāhi kichu bheda
rasa āsvādite tabu vividha vibheda

Translation

Spiritually there are no differences between these five tattvas, for on the transcendental platform everything is absolute. Yet there are also varieties in the spiritual world, and in order to taste these spiritual varieties one should distinguish between them. [CC Ādi 7.5]

When we say panch tatva we think that these are five different identities but here it is explained that they all are one. And there is no difference between them. But for different mellows they become five out of one.

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ
bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

Translation

Let me offer my obeisances unto Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has manifested Himself in five as a devotee, expansion of a devotee, incarnation of a devotee, pure devotee and devotional energy. [CC Ādi 7.6]

There are five tatva – Krsna Himself takes the form of panch tatva.

svayaṁ bhagavān kṛṣṇa ekale īśvara
advitīya, nandātmaja, rasika-śekhara

Translation

Kṛṣṇa, the reservoir of all pleasure, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, the supreme controller. No one is greater than or equal to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, yet He appears as the son of Mahārāja Nanda. [CC Ādi 7.7]

ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya
yāre yaiche nācāya, se taiche kare nṛtya

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa alone is the supreme controller, and all others are His servants. They dance as He makes them do so. [CC Ādi 5.142]

 Krsna is the only Lord and all others are servants.

No one is like Krsna. He is the son of Nand maharaj. And He is rasika-śekhara – top most reservoir of pleasure.

rāsādi-vilāsī, vrajalalanā-nāgara
āra yata saba dekha, — tāṅra parikara

Translation

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the supreme enjoyer in the rāsa dance. He is the leader of the damsels of Vraja, and all others are simply His associates. [CC Ādi 7.8]

To enjoy Ras dance , the supreme personality of Godhead , Krsna takes various forms like Gopis. And He appears in various other forms also. But these all are Krsna’s subordinates. Few are seperated from Him and few are non different.

mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke
jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ
manaḥ-ṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi
prakṛti-sthāni karṣati

Translation

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

sei kṛṣṇa avatīrṇa śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
sei parikara-gaṇa saṅge saba dhanya

Translation

The selfsame Lord Kṛṣṇa advented Himself as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with all His eternal associates, who are also equally glorious. [CC Ādi 7.9] 

Krsna appears in the form of Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu along with His associates ? How many associates does the Lord have ? Krsna has infinite forms. 

advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam
ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaṁ nava-yauvanaṁ ca
vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Translation

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is inaccessible to the Vedas, but obtainable by pure unalloyed devotion of the soul, who is without a second, who is not subject to decay, is without a beginning, whose form is endless, who is the beginning, and the eternal puruṣa; yet He is a person possessing the beauty of blooming youth. [Bs. 5.33]

All living entities are His forms. And we can not count  living entities ! So the Lord’s family members are infinite. So the Lord’s various incarnations are also His associates. And living entities are also His associates.

ekale īśvara-tattva caitanya-īśvara
bhakta-bhāvamaya tāṅra śuddha kalevara

 Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is the supreme controller, the one Personality of Godhead, has ecstatically become a devotee, yet His body is transcendental and not materially tinged. [CC Ādi 7.10]

So in this way Krsna is – topmost enjoyer , He is son of nand maharaj and He is incredible. And He appreared as Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. What is His gesture ? bhakta-bhāvamaya – He is full of feelings of a devotee. And His body is transcendental, Satchidanand vigraha , holy and pure.

kṛṣṇa-mādhuryera eka adbhuta svabhāva
āpanā āsvādite kṛṣṇa kare bhakta-bhāva

 Translation

The transcendental mellow of conjugal love of Kṛṣṇa is so wonderful that Kṛṣṇa Himself accepts the form of a devotee to relish and taste it fully. [CC Ādi 7.11]

Krsna madhurya ( transcendental Mellow) has a specific amazing  nature. So Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Has become Sri Krsna Chaitanya mahaprabhu to enjoy this Madhurya bhav. And along with this He will preach this mellow and also distribute it. Enjoyment and preaching both.

ithe bhakta-bhāva dhare caitanya gosāñi
‘bhakta-svarūpa’ tāṅra nityānanda-bhāi

Translation

For this reason Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the supreme teacher, accepts the form of a devotee and accepts Lord Nityānanda as His elder brother. [CC Ādi 7.12]

Chaitanya mahaprabhu has taken the form of devotees. bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam – the Lord is bhakt rupa and bhakt svarupa is Nityanand , who is actually Balram. One is bhakt rupa ( devotee) , another is Bhakta  swarop ( expansion of devotee). Next is bhakt avatar ( incarnation of a devotee).

‘bhakta-avatāra’ tāṅra ācārya-gosāñi
ei tina tattva sabe prabhu kari’ gāi

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is Lord Caitanya’s incarnation as a devotee. Therefore these three tattvas [Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Gosāñi] are the pre dominators, or masters. [CC Ādi 7.13]

Who is bhakt avatar ( incarnation of a devotee ) ?

Advait acharya ! Prabhu ki Jai ! There are three major tattva – Chaitanya Mahaprabhu , He is bhakta roop , Nityanand prabhu – he is Bhakta Swaroop. And Advait acharya – he is bhakt avatar. These three tatva are major. These three tatva are glorified as the Lord.

eka mahāprabhu, āra prabhu duijana
dui prabhu seve mahāprabhura caraṇa

Translation

One of Them is Mahāprabhu, and the other two are prabhus. These two prabhus serve the lotus feet of Mahāprabhu.[CC Ādi 7.14]

 One of them is mahaprabhu and the other two are prabhu only. Nityanand Prabhu and Advait acharya prabhu.

ei tina tattva, — ‘sarvārādhya’ kari māni
caturtha ye bhakta-tattva, — ‘ārādhaka’ jāni

Translation

The three predominators [Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu] are worshipable by all living entities, and the fourth principle [Śrī Gadādhara Prabhu] is to be understood as Their worshiper. [CC Ādi 7.15]

These three tattva are worshiped ( aradhya). The fourth tatva is devotee tatva. Who is he ? Sri vasa ! Sri vasa Adi Gaur bhakta vrinda ki jai ! All these are worshippers. First three tatva are worshiped and the fourth is worshiper ( those who are worshiping others ). Or we can say master and servant.

gadādhara-paṇḍitādi prabhura ‘śakti’-avatāra
‘antaraṅga-bhakta’ kari’ gaṇana yāṅhāra

Translation

The devotees headed by Gadādhara Paṇḍita are to be considered incarnations of the internal potency of the Lord. They are confidential devotees engaged in the service of the Lord. [CC Ādi 7.17]

Now fifth tatva – that is Gadadhar pandit. He is the incarnation of the Lord’s potencies or energies. These devotees are the Lord’s internal energies. There are two types of devotees- one group is headed by Srivasa  pandit and the other group is headed by Gadadhar Pandit. Srivasa Thakura is Narad muni. Narad muni ki jai ! Gadadhar Pandit is Jai Shri Radhe ! Radha Rani is queen ! Sri vasa pandit is the leader of one group of devotees. And Radha Rani is the leader of the other group of devotees. They are known as the incarnation of energy. They are confidential devotees.

yāṅ-sabā lañā prabhura nitya vihāra
yāṅ-sabā lañā prabhura kīrtana-pracāra
yāṅ-sabā lañā karena prema āsvādana
yāṅ-sabā lañā dāna kare prema-dhana

Translation

The internal devotees or potencies are all eternal associates in the pastimes of the Lord. Only with them does the Lord advent to propound the saṅkīrtana movement, only with them does the Lord taste the mellow of conjugal love, and only with them does He distribute this love of God to people in general. [CC Ādi 7.18-19]

Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu along with all of these – Nityanand prabhu , Advait acharya , Gadadhar and Sri vasa pandit and other Gaur devotees, what does He do ? He wanders along with them. And He preaches kirtan along with them. And what else do He do ? He enjoys Krsna prem along with them. And He distributed the love of the Lord. In this way He wanders with them , preaches kirtan , enjoys conjugal love , and distributes the love of the lord.

* sei pañca-tattva mili’ pṛthivī āsiyā
pūrva-premabhāṇḍārera mudrā ughāḍiyā

Translation

The characteristics of Kṛṣṇa are understood to be a storehouse of transcendental love. Although that storehouse of love certainly came with Kṛṣṇa when He was present, it was sealed. [CC Ādi 7.20]

In Goloka Vrindavan Dham Madhurya dham is present. And audarya dham is present – . It is Mayapur or it is also known as shwet deep. These tatva have arrived from this. When Krsna Kaviraj Goswami mentions panch tatva then it includes gaura bhakta vrinda. They are included in panch tatva. So only five people have not appeared. Infinite or complete Vrindavan appeared. Navdeep or shwet deep Vrindavan appeared here.

Mayapur dham ki jai ! We have gathered in Mayapur. What did all these panch tatva did ? Again remember they are not just five persons , who are with them ? Gaura Bhakta vrinda ! In this the associates of Gadadhar pandit are also included. They are known as confidential devotees. What all of them do ? Mahaprabhu brought golokera prema-dhana,

Theme : Pqnch tatva brought treasure of Golok dham

golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana,
rati na janmilo kene tay
samsara-bishanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale,
juraite na koinu upay

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. [Hari Hari Bifale 2]

This treasure of love  of Golok is very precious. It is not a thing but it is actually a person. This treasure is actually the Lord. As we keep precious things in the locker or safe. So now this treasure itself has arrived here. And what do these five did ? They opened this treasure.

* pāṅce mili’ luṭe prema, kare āsvādana
yata yata piye, tṛṣṇā bāḍhe anukṣaṇa

Translation

But when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came with His associates of the Pañca-tattva, they broke the seal and plundered the storehouse to taste transcendental love of Kṛṣṇa. The more they tasted it, the more their thirst for it grew. [CC Ādi 7.21]

These five together , who are these five ? Always remember they are not only five. We see only five personalities on the altar of panch tatva. But they include infinite associates. All of them , what did they do ? They robbed this treasure and enjoyed it. As they were enjoying it they were getting intoxicated.

punaḥ punaḥ piyāiyā haya mahāmatta
nāce, kānde, hāse, gāya, yaiche mada-matta

 Translation

Śrī Pañca-tattva themselves danced again and again and thus made it easier to drink nectarean love of Godhead. They danced, cried, laughed and chanted like madmen, and in this way they distributed love of Godhead. [CC Ādi 7.22]

Because of this high intoxication they were dancing , laughing, crying and chanting continuously. This happens with chanting and this should happen to us also. Bhakti Vinod Thakur has written that as the soul dances the love also dances and Krsna also dances.

luṭiyā, khāiyā, diyā, bhāṇḍāra ujāḍe
āścarya bhāṇḍāra, prema śata-guṇa bāḍe

Translation

Although the members of the Pañca-tattva plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead and ate and distributed its contents, there was no scarcity, for this wonderful storehouse is so complete that as the love is distributed, the supply increases hundreds of times. [CC Ādi 7.24]

They opened the treasure and they distributed it generously. They were trying to empty the treasure but they were not successful in doing it. It is amazing treasure, prema śata-guṇa bāḍe – the treasure was increasing 100 times as they were emptying it. They were distributing it , enjoying it and again gaining it.

oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate

Translation

The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance. [ Īśo Invocation]

One minus one is equal to one , this is applicable in the spiritual world. One minus one is zero , it happens in a materialistic world. As the panch tattva we’re trying to empty it but it was filling again and again with love.

uchalila prema-vanyā caudike veḍāya
strī, vṛddha, bālaka, yuvā, sabāre ḍubāya

Translation

The flood of love of Godhead swelled in all directions, and thus young men, old men, women and children were all immersed in that inundation.[CC Ādi 7.25] 

There was a flood of love. And love was being distributed. In this flood of love everyone is drowning women, old people , children, youngsters, Americans , Australians, Hungarians etc. Flood began in Bengal and gradually it is going to spread in entire world. Hari Hari !

saj-jana, durjana, paṅgu, jaḍa, andha-gaṇa
prema-vanyāya ḍubāila jagatera jana

Translation

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will inundate the entire world and drown everyone, whether one be a gentleman, a rogue or even lame, invalid or blind.

[CC Ādi 7.26]

Good people, bad people , handicapped all are drowning in this flood of love.

Theme : Advent of Chaitanya mahaprabu

This was the beginning – Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was supposed to appear in the evening on Gaura purnima but Krsna gathered many people in Mayapur in the afternoon. Everyone was running towards Mayapur. Hari Hari ! In Chaitanya Bhagwat Vrindavan Das Thakur has described that it was the day of the lunar eclipse. Or we can say that the moon also made an excuse that I do not have any to show my face tonight as tonight Chaitanya Chandra will rise ! Hari Bol ! And His face will be shining like thousands of moons. The moon is thinking that I do not want to show my face in front of such a jubilant face. So he made an excuse that tonight an eclipse will take place. I will hide my face. So because of this reason many people were coming to take holy baths during the eclipse.

bahu-koti candra jini’ vadana ujjvala
gala-deśe bana-mālā kore jhalamala –

Translation

The brilliance of Lord Caitanya’s face conquers millions upon millions of moons, and the garland of forest flowers around His neck shines. [from Text 6 jaya jaya gorācānder ārotik śobhā]

That day atheist, communist, capitalist ,  had also joined for the bath. They were being brought during day time. And Lord appeared in advance.

* kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra

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. [CC Ādi 17.22]

Gauranga ! Nimai ! Nimai will appear in the evening under the neem tree but during day time same Nimai or Sri Krishna Chaitanya mahaprabhu appeared in the form of Holyname. And Ganga was flooded with love. Everyone was chanting while taking bath

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare – Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

The Lord appeared in advance in the form of Holyname and He drowned everyone in the flood of Holyname.

* jagat ḍubila, jīvera haila bīja nāśa
tāhā dekhi’ pāṅca janera parama ullāsa

Translation

When the five members of the Pañca-tattva saw the entire world drowned in love of Godhead and the seed of material enjoyment in the living entities completely destroyed, they all became exceedingly happy. [CC Ādi 7.27]

The sins and desires of these people were destroyed in this flood.

* yata yata prema-vṛṣṭi kare pañca-jane
tata tata bāḍhe jala, vyāpe tri-bhuvane

Translation

The more the five members of the Pañca-tattva cause the rains of love of Godhead to fall, the more the inundation increases and spreads all over the world [CC Ādi 7.28]

Wherever gaura bhakt vrinda showered this love and did kirtan, dance and distributed love for godhead , the people in that region were drowning in that flood of love. The entire universe was affected by the sankirtan movement of Chaitanya mahaprabhu. Hari Hari !

* māyāvādī, karma-niṣṭha kutārkika-gaṇa
nindaka, pāsaṇḍī yata paḍuyā adhama
sei saba mahādakṣa dhāñā palāila
sei vanyā tā-sabāre chuṅite nārila

Translation

The impersonalists, fruitive workers, false logicians, blasphemers, non devotees and lowest among the student community are very expert in avoiding the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, and therefore the inundation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot touch them. [CC Ādi 7.29-30]

The various people mentioned in the verse were running away from the sankirtan.

vañcito ‘smi vañcito ‘smi
vañcito ‘smi na saˆayaƒ
vivaˆ gaura-rase magnaˆ

Translation

Caitanya Candramrta TEXT 46

 Prabhu’s Anand Saraswati Thakure has said before meeting Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s was very badly cheated because the devotees of gaura were relishing sankirtan but I was so unfortunate that I could not get a single drop of this sankirtan mellow.

sparo ‘pi mama n€bhavat gaura-candre
vistīrṇe prema-sāgare
suprakāśita-ratnaughe
yo dīno dīna eva saḥ–

Translation

“The advent of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is just like an expanding ocean of nectar. One who does not collect the valuable jewels within this ocean is certainly the poorest of the poor.” [Caitanya-candrāmṛta Text 34]

Prabhodanand Saraswati Thakure says that Chaitanya mahaprabhu appeared and He expanded the love of ocean. But the people who will not jump into this ocean of love do godhead they can go into the ocean of offenses. In this way Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared and established the ocean of nectar. We also gradually become a part of panch tatva. Hari Bol ! You are also a part of gaura bhakta vrinda. We all are headed by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and wherever we do kirtan and dance l, distribute love in all those places Lord’s Holy Name spreads. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is expanding the ocean in all those places. Those who will not jump into this ocean that have the rest of the world of maya. Hari Hari ! 

prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama/ sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

Translation

 “In every town and village throughout the world,” said Lord Caitanya, – the chanting of My holy name will be heard [CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126]

 Few people are running away from mahaprabhu

tāhā dekhi’ mahāprabhu karena cintana
jagat ḍubāite āmi kariluṅ yatana
keha keha eḍāila, pratijñā ha-ila bhaṅga
tā-sabā ḍubaite pātiba kichu raṅga

Translation

Seeing that the Māyāvādīs and others were fleeing, Lord Caitanya thought, “I wanted everyone to be immersed in this inundation of love of Godhead, but some of them have escaped. Therefore I shall devise a trick to drown them also.” [CC Ādi 7.31-32]

They are ignoring mahaprabhu. After seeing this mahaprabhu thought that I have tried to drown the entire world in this ocean but few are avoiding and running away. So the Lord thought that My promise will not complete due to this so I will join all the people. Hari Hari ! Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is thinking further what should I do ?

* eta bali’ mane kichu kariyā vicāra
sannyāsa-āśrama prabhu kailā aṅgīkāra

Translation

Thus the Lord accepted the sannyāsa order of life after full consideration.

[CC Ādi 7.33]

So after taking everything into consideration Chaitanya Mahaprabhu decided to accept sannyasa order of life. He thought that still few people are not accepting Me and not following My path. Sometimes Chaitanya mahaprabhu used to shout Gopi ! Gopi ! Gopi ! while expressing His emotions. Somprotest we’re going on. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu found a solution to this so He decided to accept sanyasa. He thought that after sanyasa He will become a special authority. Then people will accept Me and will come to My shelter. Those who are running away from Meand not respecting Me. Kirtan was happening in Navdeep and Mayapur only and not in other parts of Bharat. The people from other regions were not benefited with this ocean of love for godhead. Thinking all this , Chaitanya mahaprabhu accepted sanyasa. After taking sanyasa He traveled the entire Bharat. He preached harinam throughout Bharat. What about the rest of the world ? World is very big. Srila Prabhupada said Chaitanya Mahaprabhu could have preached throughout the world easily. But if He  did all this then what is left for us to  do ? So preaching outside India is the responsibility of the soldier devotees

tasmāt tvam uttiṣṭha yaśo labhasva jitvā śatrūn bhuṅkṣva rājyaṁ samṛddham mayaivaite nihatāḥ pūrvam eva nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savya-sācin

Translation

Therefore get up. Prepare to fight and win glory. Conquer your enemies and enjoy a flourishing kingdom. They are already put to death by My arrangement, and you, O Savyasācī, can be but an instrument in the fight. [Bg. 11.33]

Bhakti vedant swami Srila Prabhupada ki jai !

Gauranga mahaprabhu gave responsibility to Prabhupada. Srila Bhakti Sidhant Saraswati Thakure gave him  orders to go outside in western world and preach. Then the Holyname started reaching to all parts of the world. Prabhupada instructed to do padyatra. He wished we could have millions of such carts all over the world. We can have millions of sankirtan parties simo that harinam reaches to all parts of the world, to each city and towns. Prabhupada was planning for this. In this way the prediction given by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is coming in reality.

Gaura Premanande Hari Hari bol!

02 March 2024
Installation ceremony of Lord Narasimha at Mayapur
Speaker: HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj

Hare Krsna. I offer my obeisances to all the devotees who got this TOVP ready. I was reminded of PL Shetty who lived in Bombay. He was assisting Srila Prabhupada in building Radha Rasbihari temple. He was assisting us brahmacharis. So Srila Prabhupada was visiting that construction site and he was pleased with PL Shetty. He said, you are building this accommodation for Radha Rasbihari temple and in return, you will get the residence in Vaikuntha. So the accommodation for all of you supporters for TOVP temple is guaranteed in Vaikuntha.

vande śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nityānandau sahoditau
gauḍodaye puṣpavantau
citrau śan-dau tamo-nudau (CC Adi 1.2)

Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauḍa to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.

Gauranga and Nityananda are the founding fathers of Sankirtana movement. And they appeared for,

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

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

So they appear gaudodaye pushpavanto (CC Adi 1.2). They appeared as the Sun and the moon. For śan-dau tamo-nudau (CC Adi 1.2). Shan refers to peace and tamo-nudau, they will destroy the ignorance like the sun and moon destroy the darkness. In the age of Kali, they are the two of them.

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

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

The Lord is present in the form of his name in every village and by appearing in the form of holy name, that holy name which is the form of the Lord, this will get you back to home, back to godhead.

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.

And once they come here, they will be worshiping the Lord.

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ (SB 11.5.32)

Translation: In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

The Intelligent people worship the Lord by the performance of Yajna and they will worship the Lord’s deities.

sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nanashringara-

tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktams cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam (Sri Gurv Astaka 3)

Translation: The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

The temples are required and the deities are worshipped.

harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā (CC Madhya 6.242)

Translation: In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.

Without chanting and deity worship, this is not complete. The chanting of Hare Krsna Mahamantra and vigraha aradhana (deity worship) is required. Srila Prabhupada said, Mayapur is place of my worship. It’s not only Srila Prabhupada’s place of worship, the whole world is going to come here to worship the Lord. And this Mayapur is the place of worship for all the chanters for devotees around the world.

Other places are there, like Vrindavan is non different from Mayapur. But in the age of Kali, the place of worship is Mayapur. And this is imbibed along Gauranga. So Srila Prabhupada made Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s prediction come true. He went around the world and he shared the holy name of the Lord. Sharing holy name means sharing the Lord.

krishna se tomara, krishna dite paro,

tomara sakati ache
ami to’ kangala, ‘krishna’ ‘krishna’ boli’,
dhai tava pache pache (Ohe Vaishnava Thakura 04)

Translation: Krishna is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, “Krishna! Krishna!”

So Prabhupada had Krsna with him and he gave Krsna to the whole world. So the prediction of Gauranga came true. In 1972, Srila Prabhupada brought his followers to Mayapur. He managed to get the land for the temple in Mayapur. By bringing those 60 followers in Mayapur, at that time 60 was a big number. He said, someone is from Australia or America. So Mahaprabhu’s prediction has come true. Srila Prabhupada proved it by bringing all those followers.

The prediction of Nityananda prabhu is building temple at Mayapur like Jiva Goswami says, “Ek Adhbut Mandir hoibe prakash, Gauranga Nitya seva hoibe vikas”. That prediction is happening true now. In 1972, there was first ever Mayapur festival. Srila Prabhupada installed Ananta shesh here and this temple was in his mind. Prabhupada travelled from Mayapur to Vrindavan and did bhumi pujan of temple at Vrindavan. One week later, he travelled to Bombay and did bhumi pujan of Radha Rasbihari temple.

Of those three temples that he did bhumi pujan in very less time, Vrindavan temple was opened and Radha Rasbihari temple was opened in 1978. And this is the third temple which is built, and Srila Prabhupada came here few years ago. The building is made for Brahmacharis and now Narsimha dev is coming. At Ayodhya, Sri Rama is coming and here Narsimha dev is coming. We are being made more eager for final opening. If there are any obstacles, may he remove all those obstacles so finally Pancha tattva, Asta sakhi, Radha Madhav and Guru parampara will come. We are waiting.

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.

As we surrender more and more, the Lord also reveals himself more and more. So let us not be hesitant and reluctant. Let us keep ourselves fully to complete this project very soon. On behalf of the Lord, Prabhupada is giving us the opportunity. There are thousands of devotees from the world involved. And everybody’s contribution whether big or small is appreciated.

The Lord appreciated Hanuman’s contribution for building the Rama Setu. There was a little squirrel who picked up few parts of sand and was putting that in between those rocks. So Hanuman told that squirrel, get out of here. Lord Rama said, the strength, resources and intelligence are given to you and you are dedicating them to me. But don’t think that the dedication the squirrel has are less than yours. That little strength and intelligence she is using are for my service.

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, we all need to give our contribution. Srila Prabhupada, Parampara, Gauranga, Nityananda, Asta sakhi and Radha Madhav are pleased. And if they are pleased, we are also pleased. So this is a big yajna building TOVP and let us keep making our offerings. Shrimad Bhagavatam says,

etāvaj janma-sāphalyaṁ
dehinām iha dehiṣu
prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā
śreya-ācaraṇaṁ sadā (SB 10.22.35)

Translation: It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.

These are 4 ways to serve. One is giving prana – your life. Give your money, your economic development, your ideas – use your intelligence and promote. Speak in favor of completion of this project. This temple is the mother of all temples. All other temples are children. And once this temple is opened, this world will not be going to be the same anymore. We are looking forward to complete this TOVP project and I certainly thank HG Vraja vilasa prabhu, HG Ambrarish prabhu, HG Swaha mataji and other devotees.

HG Swaha mataji is pouring her heart into building the Narsimha temple. Whatever was on your mind, it’s going to happen now. Let us follow the leaders of this project and learn from them. This is the dear and dream project of Srila Prabhupada and we should contribute in this.

TOVP ki Jai! Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!

JapaTalk : 1 March, 2024 
Speaker: H. G. Vedanta Chaitanya Dasa
Theme: Seeing the Supreme

Sub Theme: Importance of Mayapur festival

Firstly, I would like to offer my humble obessainces at the lotus feet of Gurumaharaj and all the assembled devotees.

om ajnana-timirandhasyajnananjana-salakaya
cakshurunmilitamyenatasmaisri-guravenamah

nama om vishnu-padayakrishna-preshthayabhu-tale
srimatebhaktivedanta-svaminitinamine

namastesaraswatedevegaura-vani-pracarine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine

Jaya Sri-Krishna-Chaitanya PrabhuNityananda,
Sri-AdvaitaGadadharaSrivasadi-Sri Gaura-Bhakta-Vrinda.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare

Today I will speak on the topics which Gurumaharaj has instructed me to speak. It is my privilege to be at Mayapurdham. Since, Mayapur is a dham we are privilege to take part in various celebrations.

All the heads of GBC’s, various Maharaj’s and Sanyasis devotees have reached Mayapurdham and we are getting their association.

When we attend Mayapur festival, we easily get the darshan of great sanyasis and Maharaj’s. We are very fortunate to get their darshan at Mayapurdham. We get their association by listening to them in various programs like Srimad Bhagavatam classes. Yesterday’s lecture was given by Bhakti Vikasa Swami Maharaj and today’s class is by Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj. It is our good fortune to hear from various sanyasis. As is mentioned by Gurumaharaj in his book – Mayapur festival was started in the year 1971. Gurumaharaj has not missed any festival from 1972 till date. Even though Gurumaharaj is very busy he takes out time from his busy schedule and attends this Mayapur festival each year. Lesson : This Mayapur festival is very important and we have to take part in this important festival. This year also Gurumaharaj has arrived at Mayapurdham. A big festival was held here yesterday on the ocassion of 150^th Birth anniversary of Srila Bhakti SiddhantSaraswati Thakur. It was attended by many devotees connected with the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya. A huge pandal was erected and many senior Vaishnava devotees and sanyasis attended the program. They glorified Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj and later abhishek was performed. In the TOVP – Temple of the Vedic Planetorium – a museum was inaugurated yesterday for Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Thakura at 4pm.

On 29th February, 1st March and 2^nd March in TOVP the world’s largest temple of Lord Narsimha Deva is being inaugurated. Today, H. H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj and H. H. Jayapataka Swami Maharaj will take part in this function. They will address the assembled devotees. Amrish Prabhu is also present here. Gurumaharaj is also present here for the inauguration.

This Mayapur festival is celebrated for 1 month. Then there is Shravan Utsav, Kirtan Mela and Navdvipa Mandal Parikrama. Before Gaur Poornima there will be a boat festival for the Radha Madhav deities. There are many planned festivals celebrated throughout the entire month. It is like a very big festival in Mayapur. Requesting all the devotees – to participate in this Mayapur festival.

It is Gurumaharaj’s desire that all his disciples should take part in this Mayapur festival. It will be a valuable experience to take part in this festival. It is difficult to take darshan of these exalted devotees and get their association at one place. Only in the Mayapur festival – we are able to get the association of all the exalted devotees alongwith their darshan and shravan. In the Uddhava Gita – Lord Sri Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava personally – that taking part in such festivals is also an important anga of Bhakti. Taking part in such festivals enhances our devotional service. We get a lot of inspiration from such festivals hence they are known as Utsava. In case you cannot attend it this year kindly plan and attend it next year. The festival has just begun.

Sub Theme: SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur (Seeing Kṛṣṇa – an important Principle)

Once a very rich landlord had come to meet SrilaBhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. The landlord on meeting him personally asked him a confidential question. “Maharaji, you are practicing Sadhana Bhakti from such a long time. Have you ever seen the Lord?” Many people ask us also when we go for preaching. “Prabhujihave you seen the Supreme Lord or what is your experience?”

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura asked him, “See, what difference will it make in your spiritual life whether I get to see the Supreme Lord or not. Rather than seeing the Supreme Lord it is important for us to be in the range of the Supreme Lord’s eyesight. Even if we endeavor to see the Supreme Lord with our material eyes we cannot see Him. It is mentioned in the Bhakti Rasamrit Sindhu

ataḥśrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādinabhavedgrāhyaṃindriyaiḥ |
sevonmukhe hi jihvādausvayamevasphuratyadaḥ 

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. [BRS :1.2.234]

Hence Lord is also known as Adhoksaja. Our material senses are insufficient to appreciate the Supreme Lord. We cannot see the Supreme Lord with our eyes. If we were capable of seeing the Supreme Lord with our material eyesthen we would have been attracted to Him long back. We have no attraction for the Supreme Lord means we have not seen Him.

Secondly, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura mentioned that we have to be in the range of the Supreme Lord’s eyesight.

One should come under the glance of the Supreme Lord. It will make a huge difference in our lives. A lot of things happen due to the Supreme Lord’s glance. With reference to the senses of the Supreme Lord it is mentioned in the Brahma Samita by Brahmaji.

aṅgāniyasyasakalendriya-vṛtti-manti
paśyantipāntikalayanticiraṁjaganti
ānanda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindamādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁbhajāmi

 Translation:

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, whose transcendental form is full of bliss, truth, substantiality and is thus full of the most dazzling splendor. Each of the limbs of that transcendental figure possesses in Himself, the full-fledged functions of all the organs, and eternally sees, maintains and manifests the infinite universes, both spiritual and mundane. [BS : 5.32]

It means that Lord can see with His eyes and also accept the various offerings with His eyes. Lord can create progeny with His eyes. Lord can hear and smell with His eyes. When we offer bhoga to the Supreme Lord, does He eat with His mouth? No. Lord eats with His eyes. Seeing the nice foodstuff offered to the Supreme Lord – is as good as eating with His eyes.

While creating this universe how does Lord create the Jiva’s? He does so by His glance. Various universes are created by – from the skin pores of Maha Vishnu. Due to the Supreme Lord’s glance all the jiva’s within the body of Maha Vishnu – enter the prakriti and are born.

Lord creates various Jiva’s by His glance. Lord’s glance is very powerful. His glance is also known as Glance of Mercy.

namo deva damodaranantavishno
prasidaprabhoduhkha-jalabdhi-magnam
kripa-drishti-vrishtyati-dinambatanu
grihanesha mam ajnamedhyakshi-drisyah

Translation:

0 Supreme Godhead, I offer my obeisances unto You. O Damodara! O Ananta! O Vishnu! O master! O myLord, be pleased upon me. By showering Your glance of mercy upon me, deliver this poor ignorant fool whois immersed in an ocean of worldly sorrows, and become visible to my eyes.[Sri Damodarashtaka Verse No. 6]

When we go to the temple, we donot go there just to see the Lord, but to get Lord’s glance.

Once in the temple of Banke Bihari at Vrindavan, a blind man was standing in the queue to take the Supreme Lord’s darshan.  Other’s in the queue thought what will this blind man do standing in this queue. There were some college students – they started making fun of this blind man. The blind man replied back – “I am blind. I cannot see, the Lord. I am not going to see the Lord. I am going there so that Lord can glance on me. Lord is not blind, He can see me.” All the kids were silent.

When we see the Lord nothing major happens to us. When the Supreme Lord glances on us it has a huge impact on us.

One more important thing – Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said –“Instead of endeavoring to see the Supreme Lord, we should serve the Lord in such a way that the Lord Himself comes to see us.”

Then certainly Lord will see you and you will be able to see the Supreme Lord. It would be very laborious when we endeavor to see the Lord all by ourselves. How much time, will be required when the Lord wishes to see us? Lord can see us within 1 second. Eg: When I desire to see and meet Narendra Modiji. I will have to take appointment, wait for some months. They will ask me – the justification for meeting. Fill form, give application, attach Adhar Card. We will have to follow many protocols. It might take many years to meet Narendra Modiji. No guarantee on whether I will be able to meet him.

Just imagine, if Narendra Modi wishes to meet me. Even if I am very busy, they can kidnap me – as Narendra Modi wants to meet you. They will make me stand before him.

Narendra Modi can see me very easily. I donot have to make any special endeavor.

We desire to see the Supreme Lord. Hence, it is very difficult for us. Rather we should serve the Lord under the guidance of Sri Guru and Vaishnavas. Lord will desire – to see us. (He will think – who is this devotee of mine?) Serving me so nicely and chanting so well. I want to see him,he is performing his devotional service so nicely.

A devotee was telling in his class, that when we go to Vrindavan, many devotees and Brajvasis call out.

RadheRadheShyammilade.

You all must have heard it. There feelings is “Hey Srimati Radha Rani, may I attain Sri Shyam Sunder.

The senior devotee was mentioning that – our consciousness should not be that we want to meet the Supreme Lord. This is not our goal. Our goal is given to us by Srila Prabhupada – Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa Maha Mantra. We donot wish to meet the Supreme Lord. If we get a chance we will meet the Supreme Lord.

Our goal is to serve Bhagvan Sri Kṛṣṇa. When we chant we donot ask hey Srimati Radharani – please arrange the meeting for us with Sri Shyamsunder. This is not our demand. We are asking Srimati Radharani to engage us in the service of the Supreme Lord and Vaishnavas. We are praying for seva.

When we – accept this theory then we will be considered as a Gaudiya Vaishnava. We desire not to see the Supreme Lord but to serve the Lord, Srimati Radharani and Vaishnavas.

This is our goal (Prayojana). Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tells the vedic knowledge has sambandha, abhidheya and prayojana. The knowledge of prayojana gives us the goal or purpose of our life. It is very important for us to understand why are we doing devotional service? To serve Bhagvan Sri Kṛṣṇa is our real goal or prayojana. We cannot see Lord Kṛṣṇa. How can we see Lord Kṛṣṇa or which type of eyes are required to see Him? This is mentioned in the Brahma Samita

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena
santaḥsadaivahṛdayeṣuvilokayanti
yaṁśyāmasundaramacintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ
govindamādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁbhajāmi

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]

In this verse it is mentioned that one whose eyes are tinged with devotion. Like we apply kajal in our eyes. A person who has applied devotional service or love of Godhead in his eyes. Such a person is able to see the Lord always due to his pure devotional service.

Lord cannot be see with our material eyes. If we endeavour to see the Lord. What will happen, is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita

Sub Theme: Fools neglect Bhakti

avajānantimāṁmūḍhāmānuṣīṁtanumāśritam
paraṁbhāvamajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram

Translation:

Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature as the Supreme Lord of all that be.[BG 9.11]

Lord tells that when the fools see Me or understand Me with their material eyes or senses they consider me to be an ordinary human being.

Lord tells in another sloka of the Bhagavad Gita that He doesnot give his darshan freely to everyone.

Sub Theme: Results for Impersonalists

In this context, Lord tells that

nāhaṁprakāśaḥsarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ
mūḍho ’yaṁnābhijānātilokomāmajamavyayam

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]

Lord tells that I donot manifest Myself to everyone. For some people their eyesight is covered by My internal potency. People cannot see Me.

In this condition, if the conditioned soul endeavours to take the Supreme Lord’s darshan is not a good proposal.

Sub Theme: Preaching pastimes of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

Once Srila Bhaktisiddhanta was taking many devotees for the Vraj Mandal Parikrama. Approximately 10,000 devotees attended the parikrama. You can imagine, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura was preaching on such a grand scale. They would walk with him. Srila Prabhupada happened to get this information, that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Maharaj is taking devotees for Vraj Mandal Parikrama. Srila Prabhupada desired his association and wished to see him. Srila Prabhupada went to Kosi. This was the place where Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Thakurawas camping or had halted. There was an announcement, those devotees who wish take the darshan, can proceed to the Seshashahi temple and those who stay back can attend the special talk given by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. Many devotees left for taking the darshan of the deities. Srila Prabhupada thought that I should wait and hear from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. I will learn a lot from his association. Srila Prabhupada waited. Only a few devotees i.e. 25 devotees out of 10,000 devotees stayed back to hear from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura started giving the talk or discourse. Normally, when we go to give lectures and the attendance is low, we feel bad.

When Srila Prabhupada was giving a class on the Introduction to Bhagavad Gita, not a single person was present physically. Srila Prabhupada thought for some time and then delivered the class on Bhagavad Gita. This class was recorded and later it was printed as an introduction to Bhagavad Gita.

That day, nobody heard the class. But now, lakhs and crores of people are reading the introduction to Bhagavad Gita and due to it, many have realised the Bhagavad Gita.

When the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura would go for preaching, he would encourage them by stating do not be discouraged if noone comes to hear you. Even if noone come, we should sing the glories of Lord Hari in front of the four walls. Return only after completion of your pravachan.

Srila Prabhupada was sitting in front of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. He started by telling that those devotees who have gone to take the Lord’s darshan cannot take the darshan of the Lord actually. They have – actually perfomed eye exercises and will make no difference in their lives.

We get the first darshan through the medium of shravan. Till a devotee does not take the darshan of the Lord through his ears, he cannot take the darshan of the Lord through his eyes.

1^stdarshan is through the eyes. As per Navavidha Bhakti Prahlad Maharaj tells that

śrī-prahrādauvāca
śravaṇaṁkīrtanaṁviṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁpāda-sevanam
arcanaṁvandanaṁdāsyaṁ
sakhyamātma-nivedanam
itipuṁsārpitāviṣṇau
bhaktiścennava-lakṣaṇā
kriyetabhagavatyaddhā
tan manye ’dhītamuttamam

Translation:

Prahlāda Mahārāja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Viṣṇu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one’s best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words) — these nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Kṛṣṇa through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge. [ŚB 7.5.23-24]

Srila Prabhupada – mentions that whatever difficult situations we face in our spiritual life like our relationship with our devotees or knowledge about the Vedas or about seva. The main reason – for all such difficulties is deficiency in hearing. A devotee who does proper shravanam is able to take darshan of the Lord in a better manner.

Srila Prabhupada tells that when I heard the pravachan of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura sitting in front of him. I could not understand 25% of the pravachan. In spite of all this SrilaPrabhupada would hear attentively.

Sub Theme: Initiation pastime of SrilaPrabhupada

We are introduced to Gurumaharaj by our councellors, when we are to be initiated. Maharaji, he is an aspiring devotee and wishing to be initiated from you. Once, a sanyasi had taken Srila Prabhupada in front of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura as he aspired to be initiated from him.

Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj told – “Yes, I know him as he hears me attentively”. This is a special thing. Bhaktisiddhanta knew Srila Prabhupada as he was an attentive listener not by performing a big seva. When we hear from our guru’s attentively. That will attract our guru’s attention towards us.

A big professor had come to meet Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. He told I would often meet your father. I would recite the Bhagavad Gita slokas for him. I have met your father Bhaktivinoda Thakura many times and have taken his darshan. Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura said “You have not seen my father”. He did not understand the statement of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. He further told – that we take the darshan of the Sadhu’s by using our ears. You have not heard from him. When you have heard from him, I will accept that you have actually seen him.

Lesson: When we go to take darshan of the Guru we should not narrate our story only. Some people start their own Bhagavad Katha – Maharaji, this is happening in my home. My wife doesnot listen to me. What will happen by such a Bhagavad katha?

Have you gone to hear Bhagavad Katha from your gurumaharaj? So infront of Guru, we should not do our own Bhagawad Katha nor glorify our own seva. We tell – Maharaj it is due to your mercy. But the tag line is that I have done this. It is very important to hear from our Guru. When we hear in reality, we get Guru’s darshan.

Thank you very much for your valuable time.

Hare Kṛṣṇa!