English
Topic - How should a Vaishnav behave?
Date - 4th June 2024
HG Padmamali Pr- Hare Krishna. PAMHO. Today, On Dwadashi, we have Hg Keshav Murari prabhu from ISKCON rohini for a japa talk. He is in the important position of ICC and ISKCON Rohini. It is our good fortune that a realised soul is in between us and following Prabhupada teachings strictly and faithfully. Recently, there was an opening of ISKCOn rohini and it was inaugurated by HH Gopal Krsna Goswami Maharaj. He has taken out time from his busy schedule to give us association. We are very grateful and would like him to start the Japa Talk.
HG Keshav Murari Prabhu - Hare Krsna. Dandavat Pranam. All glories to HH Lokanatha swami maharaj. It is my fortune that I got darshan of so many vaishnavas in the morning.
"Vānchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca,
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ."
Translate:
"I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Vaishnavas, who are just like desire trees and can fulfil the desires of everyone, and who are full of compassion for the fallen souls."
I am amazed to see that for so many years devotees are coming together to chant in one forum. It is very difficult to gather devotees or Hindus together in India. There is a saying ,"Uniting Hindus is like weighing frogs." It describes the difficulty in bringing Hindus together due to their diverse beliefs and practices. There are almost more than 2000 devotees everyday gathering.This is a big achievement. All glories to HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj.
I am supposed to speak on Vaishnava behaviour. I will try to speak according to my qualifications. It is not possible to chant all the glories of Krsna - even Ananta shesha can not do so. But Krsna says that He can be defeated by His devotees. By looking at their surrender, humility and behaviour, Krsna’s heart also melts. Krishna says, "I am sold out by my devotees. I dance to their tunes because the Supreme Lord, to whom everyone is surrendered, is Himself sold out to His devotees. These devotees are worshipable by everyone, including the Lord Himself."
In our sampradaya, every acharya is exceptionally great. It is not easy to run this movement. This Hare Krishna Movement is going on, nurtured and protected by these acharyas only. Sometimes we may think, “I did this” during our services. Sometimes devotees feel they should get some recognition for the devotional service that they have done.” I should get some position because of my services” we may think like that. No doubt, our acharyas purify us from time to time and relieve us from this ego. Still we are conditioned, and this is Kaliyuga. So it is natural to think like that. Sometimes when deities are brought somewhere, they go on chariots. And at every place, deities are being worshipped, bhoga is offered so horses of that chariot may think”we are being worshipped”. Similarly if a devotee feels that he is doing something for the movement, we should realise that all the empowerment to do these services is coming from the disciplic succession, our acharyas. We are very fortunate that we are connected to this bonafide authentic sampradaya and it is the Topmost. In our sampradaya, Krishna Himself came in the mood of Srimati Radharani, became an acharya. Mahaprabhu is the best example of an acharya. He has shown the right standard of a renunciant, a spiritual master and a devotee. Similarly In this lineage there are so many great acharyas - Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati thakur, Srila Prabhupada and present guru. They all carry the same mood. We are all well protected.
This ship of ISKCON may sway in the material ocean sometimes. Sometimes devotees may think, “why is this ship wavering? I hope this ship doesn’t sink.” But when the ship's captain is Srila Prabhupada and protected by all ISKCON gurus, the favourable air.” Sometimes there may be strong winds when an acharya left just like when Prabhupada left, many people jumped from the ship thinking that it would sink. And now they are sitting in small boats and seeing that the ship is strongly protected, expanding then they regret. But they are not able to come back.
Sometimes, we also try to take short cuts and go to different sadhus (out of ISKCON). We forget that we are in a ship which is protected by Srila Prabhupada, the pre-eminent acharya. When we are not in devotion, we do not know philosophy so that time we all know what we did in the name of spirituality? We used to go to so many temples, so many gurus etc. Our philosophy was not clear. We used to eat everything and do whatever we like. We came into Krsna consciousness, we understood what bhakti is, about Lord and His incarnations, position of demigods and ISKCON and other institutions. But now after knowing the philosophy of Krsna consciousness we are safe. After knowing all this, we still go to other gurus (outside ISKCON) just by looking at their videos on Youtube. We think,”oh this guru said a very nice thing” but we should know everything is given in the books and purports of Srila Prabhupada. His disciples are saying the same things as it is. Acharya means to present Krsna consciousness as it is, the same knowledge he has received from his spiritual master- he is giving to his disciples as it is. This is the quality of an acharya. And to see whether they’re following it properly or not. Sometimes people see that there are many rules and regulations in ISKCON and they go left and right. They commit offence unto the lotus feet of Prabhupada and spiritual master. Once Srila Prabhupada's followers in Vrindavan went to other gurus, Srila Prabhupad had tears in his eyes. He said,”I have given everything in my books.”
The problem is that when we are in the wrong association then we have shortcomings. Today this social media is a good platform to interact with one another but this can also be a reason for our fall down. That's why, whatever Srila Prabhupada has given in his books and the way Vaishnavas lived their life,we have to see that only. There's no better principle than this. But we have shortcomings because we don't have to read 4 vedas, 18 puranas, 108 upanishads. We just heard Prabhupada lectures and read his golden purports, we got everything. We understood everything but we still want shortcuts. We got the biggest shortcut. What did you know before coming into Krsna consciousness? We are looking for a spiritual organisation where there are no regulative principles or maybe just 3 or 2 or 1 regulative principles. We want an organisation where the spiritual master does not interfere in our lives. Who wants a spiritual master like this? This is the age of Kali. Who wants a spiritual master who wakes us up in the morning at 5 am and asks to chant with him on zoom. Nobody wants it. He won't allow us to be in mode of ignorance or mode of passion. He would teach us through his behaviour that i wake up and chant, you also wake up and chant with me, hear the lecture. So this way if we get influenced by any youtube video of sadhus outside ISKCON, then we may leave this ship of ISKCON.this is the greatest loss of life. We should be alert. Follow regulative principles properly, chant Hare krishna mahamantra attentively, hear the mantra properly while chanting and read Srila Prabhupada books, hear the Prabhupada disciples. If we continue to come together and chant like this everyday in the morning and hear philosophy then our spiritual path will be safe, clear, protected and surely we will advance. And one day we will attain Krsna prem in our heart.
Bhakti is a science. As you’ll move forward, you’ll see the results.Initially it takes us away from gross materialism or bad habits. This is the beginning of bhakti. Gradually, when we chant and avoid vaishnava offences or chant attentively, then we start to acquire divine qualities which Lord Krsna tells in Bhagavad Gita or mentioned in Nectar of devotion. Gradually we see that our humility, tolerance is increasing and lust, anger, greed or material desires are decreasing. Then it makes a beautiful chart of our life. We start appreciating good qualities in Vaishnavas.This way, by continuously practising, we will start respecting Vaishnavas more. We will be inspired by them and will see the good qualities in them. One begins to follow acharays. Srimad Bhagavatma tells us who is a vaishnava?
A Vaishnava is a person who remains unaffected in any situation, even if disrespected, beaten, or criticised by everyone. Despite such treatment, they do not retaliate. This level of humility is cultivated in Vaishnava. So first of all, Krishna won't allow any situation like this in a devotee’s life but sometimes if Krsna does that, then a Vaishnava shows complete surrender to the Lord in those situations. They show “Krsna ek sharanam”- Krishna is the only shelter. They completely surrender from mind, words and body to Krsna.This way, through their behaviour, they show that everyone should follow this behaviour.
Our life seems to be like 100 years but nowadays it is approximately 70 years. Still we don't know when death will take place. That's why, whatever time we have, we should be serious. We see, in cities, people are getting serious diseases from the age of 35 or 40. We have seen that our ancestors died while enjoying only and now also in old age, they say that there is no peace of mind, we have unfulfilled desires. When we see this all around us that people, although engaged in sense gratification, are highly miserable then "A word to the wise is sufficient." Sometimes there is a jam and we arr moving in the same direction on road, then we see a car coming from frog after taking a U turn and gives a sign to us that “dont go forward - there is jam, take a u turn”. If we understand that sign, then that is intelligence. Similarly, Lord Krishna is giving a sign in Bhagavad Gita,
[Bg. 13.9]
Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-
Duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam
Translation:
the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease.
All the acharyas are giving the same sign. But if we still say that i want to enjoy, want to eat, earn, drink etc. i dont want to give donation. Sometimes we become devotees but still our children are studying in the same demoniac schools. So they dont understand what parents are doing. They see parents as aliens. First duty of parents is to take their children to ISKCON temples, send them in gurukula or sunday programs so that from childhood they will get right assocaitiong and right knowledge. We areb not able to open schools like that in society. A lot of energy we spent on children to make them devotees. With this there is discrepancy between parents and children. Ultimately one gives up.
SB 5.5.18
gurur na sa syāt sva-jano na sa syāt
pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt...
na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum
Translation:
One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable demigod.
So this world runs of fellowship, what one follows , everybody follows. But they have wrong Heros in this world. Real heroes are our acharyas who have controlled their senses, mind and body. They are real acharyas. These acharyas have protected dharma, society, devotional principles. Because of them, we are able to be pure. In Bhagavatam Krsna walks in Goloka, dust (saffron particles) comes when he walks, it enters into the heart. Acharyas when speak about Krsna, sing Krsna’s glories enters into the heart of a conditioned soul. In CC
CC Ādi 1.1
vande gurūn īśa-bhaktān īśam īśāvatārakān tat-prakāśāṁś ca tac-chaktīḥ kṛṣṇa-caitanya-saṁjñakam
Translation:
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual masters, the devotees of the Lord, the Lord’s incarnations, His plenary portions, His energies and the primeval Lord Himself, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya.
Krishna comes in six forms- Caitanya Maharpabhu, Vaishnava, guru, energies, incarnations and Himslef Acaryas are also Krsna’s represntatives, we should respect them contemplate and remember them. If we remember them then we will be purified. When they will come and if we serve thenw think of the benefits. This si our only asset taht we have earned- avishnava sang their teaching. We just have to dedicate our time in this. Whatever time we have , we should engage in devotional services, hearing acharyas instrcutions, chanting and preaching to others so that they can be inspired. Then our life will also be successful. Otherwise, if we miss this opportunity and leave the ship then we will be very unfortunate. In spiritual life, A and Z of Bhakti is onyl Vaishnavas.
chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba:
without being a devotee of a devotee, one cannot be released from material entanglement.
So if we commit any offense towards Vaishnava or Krishna, krishna maynot forgive but if we glorify and serve Vaishnavas then Krsna will be pleased and if vaishnavas are pleased with us then they will request Krishna to accept you and Krishna cannot deny anyone if His dear vaishnavas request anything. A to Z of spiritual life and everything is dependent on vaishnavas and acharays.Or else if one neglects this opportunity then one will fall in the material pool. If devotees are pleased with us , Krsna is pleased.
We start our morning by glorifying and sprayers to Vaishnavas. From morning till evening, we glorify and pray to vaishnavas this helps us to grow in our devotional life. That’s why our morning starts with samsara dava nala lidha Loka- guru puja. Devotees should always glorify vaishnaavs and remember vaishnavas in heart.
Hg Padmamali Prabhu speaks - Thank you prabhuji. We can take some questions from today’s talk.
Q-I am in devotional life but my child is not inclined ? What to do ?
A- We have started Bhakti very late. And for children it’s a drastic change. They see the outside world and get attached. Children may be fearful that their friends may make fun of them. Second reason is, One doesn’t have a community of devotees also. Nevertheless one can stay near the temple and have different classes at least half a day, once a week. Slowly they may change. There should be programs for children where they can do numbe of activities. When they grow older , they can be told about philosophy of Krsna consciousness. About death and mishaps. We have answers to all questions. You could do more hearing and chanting. And also educate them. Serve them Prasadam. We should do our job of putting efforts to make them Krsan cosnciosuness. And make them understand that this material world is temporary. It is a place of misery. No matter how hard you try, there will be disappointment in this material world. When the children realise this they will definitely take a u turn.
Q- Some are good devotees in temple , but they leave association of temple devotees due to some misunderstandings. They practise in solitude. How to bring them back?
A- all devotees have a different mind set. Many people come into ISKCON. There 84 lakh varieties of devotees also not just species. There will be difference of opinion. One should be worried when one doesn’t get Prasadam for more than two times a day , or snatches away ones japa mala , or is nit allowed to attend Bhagavatam class. They think that my ideas are nice and whatever i say is important for the mission. Second, we should not expect. Third, you should give your opinion and ideas without any attachment that this will happen. We should not be worried till we are not geting prasadam, no clothes to wear, not able to chant, they have snatched beads, not leeting you attend Bhagavatam class, not giving opportunity to serve in temple then we should be worried in all these cases. There can be many services which are no tin temple like book distribution, sankirtan etc. if you are not able to do these things then you talk to management authority. If you are getting all this and more than this then be grateful to Lord and management and serve selflessly. If theres more problem then dance in kritan for hours and hours. Those devotees who are upset with some aspects of other devotees , they wait for other devotees to come and call me or appreciate me so we should do that. We must be called them back. If leaders are sensitive then what can be done. We should be busy in chanting, hearing Bhagavatam and serving vaishnavas.
Hg Padmamali Prabhu Question- Sometimes congregation devotees feel that there is a lot of favouritism, politics in temple. They feel our group is the best. They feel that they must chant in their homes. As going to temple will create a lot of conflicts. There is no need of going to temple and vaishnavs. Because not going near to vaishnavas can save us from vaishnav offense. But how can one save such devotees?
A- In our Rohini temple, all are connected to temple. Some Devotees make their own groups. But they are connected to temple. Sometimes sincere soul gets hurt and they begin their own group. Now that sincere devotee is happy and others are also happy. But if you’re away from temple, not serving directly. They have their own concerns which hould be heard.Initially they also feel nice about the same. But gradually Maya Devi takes charge.And she makes the devotee realise that they are the best. You’re not getting proper respect.And then get detached from the temple. Then again Maya enters and says if no body is asking you from temple and so many followers are listening to you, then there lectures change gradually. They tell people that what all wrong happened with me and then those people went to a different group. This happened in Punjabi Bagh. main leaders had a conflict with management. All 200-300 devotees left the temple and now they are completely off the track. They are in radhakund and names liek Manajri are given to them. Now they have opened shops in vrindavan or driving autos there. They are not even chanting 2 rounds. Later people realise what mistake we have committed. There should be discussion always in meetings. So every preacher , authority must have a leader above them to always guide. No matter how big a preacher is, but there should be someone on his head. Independent preachers mostly have s chanc to deviate if there no one to chastise or correct or guide. Because they’ll feel that they are lord. Who is your authority in this big ISKCON. There should be someone. Of someone is following noone, then they should not follow spiritual life. Becasue that perosn will be doomed. Having a leader canl save them from a lot of trouble. This has come form ISKCON.
Q- How to regulate our life so that we can always be enthusiastic in spiritual life. Because if a husband is not devotee then it is difficult to be enthusiastic always.
Ans- If all are devotees then one should sit together and discuss how to progress spiritually, but if not all are dveotees then we have to adjustments. And sometimes for there happiness, we can go for their happiness to malls or shopping. Once a girl, devotee and her husband , both were devotees. So this girl’s sister and husband’s brother had a love affair from 7 years then they got married. But they were so nice devotees. But boy had a habit to eat meat. Girl was good devotee. She denied eating meat eating, alcohol adked to go for movies. Then they got divorced. Husband asked her to cook meat bu tnot to eat. So I asked her, to have a successful married life, you could have made adjustments. You’re not chanting 16 rounds so you could have managed. You could have gone to see a movie and then in return, once asked him to come to temple. Then you’re chanting and uplifting him also. I asked her should i see a good devotee match for you? She said, yes but not so good devotee because then there will be problem. So she wants a little bit of spiritual life an dlittle material life also. this shows your mentality. Because you dont know what do you want. Initially we should make adjustments and try to make family also devotees. We can also make some clarifications with them that i am followifn this path and i am facing this problem. If we communicate then that can also solve problems.
HG Padmamali Pr- We are very grateful to Prabhuji for taking out time from their busy schedule. He missed darshan aarti and gru puja because eof us. We should also take benefit of such association. I would like to express sincere gratitude on behalf of all. We would request to come again. We are looking forward for your guidance in future again.
Sri harinaam prabhu ki jai.
Srila Prabhupada ki Jai.
HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj ki Jai.
