English
JapaTalk :7 June, 2024
Speaker: H. G. Parthsarathi Das
Theme: Importance of Morning Program
Sub Theme: Introduction
Hare Krsna!!
Due to the causeless mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga we get an opportunity to get up daily in the morning, perform Japa (remembering the Supreme Lord), kirtan (bhajan),aarti and getting the association of transcendental devotees. Why should we perform all these activities? What is the importance? We will try to understand this with the help of a slide show.
Morning program is very essential for our devotional service. It is known as prime time or Brahma-muhurta. It is a very important part of the day. How do we spend this time day, is very essential for us to understand? Srila Prabhupada has given a lot of stress on morning programs. We will try to understand some of the quotes of Srila Prabhupada.
I will share it right now. Why is – the morning time so essential for us?
Sub Theme: Importance of morning program.
As you are aware, that we have Mangal Aarti every morning in all our ISKCON temples. (Mostly at 4.30am and some temples depending on the surroundings at 5am). 4.30am is our prime time.
The second aarti in the temple takes place at 7.30am.
A day consists of 24 hours which has 8 prahars (sub divisions in a day). Each prahar is made up of 3 hours. You can see that from 4.30am to 7.30am is one prahar consisting of 3 hours. SrilaP rabhupada has given us all this after a lot of thought process, based on proper understanding of the disciplic succession and whatever is right for us. We donot have to search for it more here and there in other sampradaya. Whatever Srila Prabhupada has given us it is sufficient for us to go back to Godhead. This is essential for us – to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This morning program is held in every temple. You can visit any of the ISKCON temples. You will hear the sound of the conch shell. Some people wake up and glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
We begin by glorifying the spiritual master by singing vandegurohsri-charanaravindam (Sri Gurvashtakam). The spiritual master has opened our eyes by giving us this transcendental knowledge. (Various gurus in the form of diksha guru, shiksha guru, chaitya guru and path pradarshak guru). We have a feeling of humbleness towards them. We offer our respectful obeisance’s at the lotus feet of the spiritual master.
Then we sing prayers the NarsimhaArti (we have received the mercy of the spiritual master). We pray to Sri Narsimha deva to remove the obstacles from the path of our Bhakti and save us from the attacks of maya.
namastenarasimhaya
prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakasiporvakshahsila-
tanka-nakhalaye
Translation:
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chiselson the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.[Verse No 1- NarsimhaArti]
All glories to VignavinashakNarsimha Deva Bhagwan!!
After praying for the removal of obstacles from the path of our devotional service – then we pray for the enhancement of our Bhakti.
We pray to Srimati Tulsi Maharani.
(om) vrindayaitulasi-devyaipriyayaikeshavasya ca
vishnu-bhakti-pradedevisatyavatyainamonamah
Translation:
I offer my repeated obeisances unto Vrinda, Srimati Tulasi-devi, who is very dear to Lord Keshava. O goddess, you bestow devotional service to Krishna and you possess the highest truth. [Tulsi Pranam Mantra]
Then after offering obeisances to Tulsi Maharani, we begin with our Japa.
ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ
śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁvidyā-vadhū-jīvanam
ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁprati-padaṁpūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ
sarvātma-snapanaṁparaṁvijayateśrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam
Translation:
Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step. [CC Antya 20.12]
After cleansing the mirror of our heart we recite the 10 offences to the holy names and then start.
Hare Krsna Hare KrsnaKrsnaKrsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama RamaRama Hare Hare
Srimad Bhagavatam is Shravan Bhakti – as told to us by our acharyas. What is Bhagawad Gita? It is also Shravan Bhakti.
Shravanam is very important.
Sub Theme: Just hear (Knowing Krsna by hearing about Him)
Lord Himself has told.
śrī-bhagavānuvāca
mayyāsakta-manāḥpārtha
yogaṁyuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ
asaṁśayaṁsamagraṁmāṁ
yathājñāsyasi 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]
Lord tells if –you want to be attached to Me and take My shelter. You have to hear Bhagavad Gita and SrimadBhagavatam.Hence, in our morning programs we hear and sing various aartis and perform Japa. What is its significance?
It is a big seminar. I will try to cover it in brief.
The benefits of morning program and the challenges we face while attending the morning program and its solutions. We have to understand its various aspects. We have to understand – what will we gain if we donot attend the morning programs. Then we will understand the significance of morning programs.
Our intention is to develop attachment and love for morning programs.
Some of you might be having doubts, why is it necessary to get up early in the morning. We can take rest or sleep right now and do our japa later when we wake up.
What will be consequences (harmful results)? What will we lose? We will discuss this today. We have to keep this in mind always that – to wake up early, cleaning, performing puja in the temple – has to be done in the morning. To continue doing these activities we have to take certain precautions. The most important is to chant – 16 rounds of Japa daily alongwithaarti and kirtan – with complete dedication. As we have promised – our Gurumaharaj, before the sacrificial fire in a dham in the presences of Vaishnavas. What was that promise? We will chant 16 rounds and follow the 4 regulative principles.
Sub Theme: Letters by Srila Prabhupada
SrilaPrabhupada – on 10th January, 1972 – had written a letter to Premananda Kulusekhara prabhuji in Bombay. Chanting 16 rounds is very essential and we should always maintain this highest level of Krishna Conscious standard. This will help us to advance in Krishna Consciousness. Which things? routine work—such as rising early, cleansing, chanting, temple worship, reading, sankirtana, etc. We should chant 16 rounds regularly. Srila Prabhupada had laid down these standards and the same has been followed by our Gurudeva in parampara and is followed by other devotees too in continuation.
Please think – why do we take part in the morning program? What are its benefits? Why should we take part in it?
Guest come or do not turn up – we should follow our morning program. Is your temple a part of ISKCON? Who is your spiritual master? – In this way, Srila Prabhupada once scolded a disciple. Disciple – replied “I am your disciple”. This has been wriiten by H. G. BhurijanaDasa. Then – Srila Prabhupada asked – “Why don’t you follow the morning program?” Srila Prabhupada – showed me my faults or limitations. Sometimes we have sevas or guests or utsavs but why don’t we have the morning programs. Morning programs are very essential. Srila Prabhupada has stressed a lot on its implementation. In the book titled “My Glorious Spiritual Master” H. G. Bhurijana Dasa has written his experiences. Srila Prabhupada – has often stressed that all the ISKCON temples to have morning programs.
Srila Prabhupada tells that all the devotees should take part in Mangala Aarti else no prasadam. Now-a-days many temples in ISKCON have laid down the rules that if you donot attend – morning program then no prasadam. I have heard in some – temples if you are late for Mangal Aarti then no chapatti, and still more late then no rice and dal and complete fasting. This has been written by SrilaPrabhupada – if you are ill and you miss – MangalAarti then you have to skip prasadam. Do not sleep during ManglaAarti time, we fall ill during the morning program. We are not ill during prasadam. Where does the disease go at that time? Sickness is in the mind. We have a false ego – I will not go for the morning program. Practise mind control, else we cannot attend morning programs. If we are seriously ill consult a doctor. Normally, the mind tells – I donot want to wake up I donot want to go. If we endeavour to wake up – Lord will bestow his causeless mercy upon us. Srila Prabhupada tells that if one – doesnot attend morning programs then he should be punished. It is necessary, as this time is very important.
Srila Prabhupada in Prabhupada Lilamrita – Chapter 49 mentions that Srila Prabhupada – was cautious about the attendance of the devotees in the morning programs daily. Srila Prabhupada called a temple President and asked him why certain devotees were – absent during Mangal Aarti daily? Srila Prabhupada told morning programs are very essential. He would enquire about devotees. A spiritual – master takes us back to Godhead. We should follow his instructions. Srila Prabhupada would observe some devotees are not coming for Mangal Aarti. Like Gurumaharaj also often tells us that we should be ready at 5am. This zoom temple is going on since the last 5 to 6 years. In spite of Gurudeva’s extensive travelling by train or bus or car, Gurudeva joins the zoom temple. We too should participate on time.
2 things are important in Bhakti – regularity and cleanliness. A slight neglect in following these processes – will lead to making all other devotional processes a failure.
The name of the chapter is Backbone of our Spiritual life. Morning program is our backbone of our spiritual life. If we donot wake up in the morning – it will become a mourning program. We will keep on crying this is not done that is not done throughout the day. (Blaming, wailing and mourning. It is known as BMW). We will shout and blame others or will be sad or will run after solutions.
We are neglectful due to our carelessness. Then mayadevi will attack us. Many times during driving – if is said that if we are not alert then there are chances for accidents or losses. Someone could lose his life. A sanyasi tells that one sense is sufficient – for a devotees fall down. We have to be alert at every moment. Eg there is a bridge or flyover, a small crack in it if neglected – can lead to its collapse. It began with a small crack. Similarly, we need to be alert in the practise of our bhakti. As we sing during our Guru Puja,
sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bandomuisavadhana mate
jaharaprasadebhai, e bhava toriya jai,
krsna-prapti hoy jahaha'te
Translation:
The lotus feet of the spiritual master are the abode of pure devotional service. I bow down to those lotus feet with great care and attention. My dear brother (my dear mind)! It is through the grace of the spiritual master that we cross over this material existence and obtain Krsna.[Verse No. 1 Sri Guru Vandana]
Our mind should be careful. Why? Our mind will be purified only if we are careful else there would be some catastrophe. Srila Prabhupada says that even the small things should be given utmost importance. Why? If we neglect them then we will have to face severe consequences in the future. Eg.: a gold chain – due to some structural issues – might break and fall down. We have to focus on the weak link in a gold chain. It’s breakage will lead to a financial loss for us. Attention to details is a sign of love. If we love somebody – we need to focus on the minute details. Like – an ocean is created by many droplets of water. But if there is a leakage and water droplets are slowly coming out of the ocean. It can end the ocean or sea. Hence, Srila Prabhupada tells us that if we donot – take part in morning programs we will fail in all other devotional services. It we donot do chanting during brahma muhrat we will be illusioned by various thoughts or worries and we will be entangled.
In Srimad Bhagavatam it is mentioned that – association is very meaningful. Hence ISKCON wants to make all its devotees complete or perfect. The association of devotees should always remember that this is – not a place for free Prasadamseva. We need to – carefully follow our spiritual duties – so that by seeing us the neophyte devotees also imitate the same and they alsocan attain the Paramdham.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
If we want to attain the Supreme Lord’s abode in this lifetime, then Srila Prabhupada has stressed on the importance of association. Why do we stress on joining this zoom temple? Some devotees stay at different places in India and abroad, they cannot visit the temple (as it is far off or due to rainy season). Our house turns to a temple through the medium of our mobile phones. Association is very important as we get strength. Things become easy. Srila Prabhupada tells if we want to make ISKCON a perfect institution, like a big building – each brick is very important. Each foundation is very important. What is this foundation? Our foundation is the morning program. It helps us to connect. ISKCON is not just a free eatery. Devotees have to carefully, cautiously follow their spiritual – duties. Any neglect could lead to disruption or creation or evolution of problems. We get guidance in the association of devotees. It leads to our fencing of our compound. Our foundation is devotees or the Supreme Lord. They support us. We can easily attain the Supreme abode in their association.
Waking up at 4am – Following the regulative principles a devotee is connected to the Supreme Lord’s abode. To connect with the Supreme Lordwe have to get up early. 2500 devotees are associating daily. Contact, care and connection. When we connect then there is care. If we are not careful, maya will fool us. We have to be careful and alert. Maya will give us reasons “I am tired or we have the whole day”.
There is a proverb which tells do your tomorrow’s activities day, todays activities now. When will you do the activities if there is pralaya right now.
In Kaliyuga – the motivational speakers teach us– do your today’s activities tomorrow and tomorrow’s activities day after tomorrow. There is no hurry as you have a long life. When such a person is in emergency situation he is baffled and confused and cannot find the way. We procrastinate our japa. Then we are engaged in some work or somebody comes to meet us. Then finally we end up doing our Japa at 12 mid-night. SrilaPrabhupada mentions that 99% of our advancement in spiritual life depends on our chanting. 1% is our remaining activities (our seva, our relationship, sadachar) depends on our chanting. When we wake up early and connect with the Supreme Lord, Lord is happy as his devotee is performing austerities for Him. In the initial days of our spiritual life a devotee wakes up early due to his spiritual master’s instructions and performs bhakti. Later he develops attachment for the process and wake up on our own. We should not take it cheaply. Be careful always – do not think if I donot get up for 3 or 4 days in the morning what will happen. We have to practise.
Teachings of Queen Kunti – In America, sometimes it can be very cold. Please hear attentively these are – instructions of Srila Prabhupada for our overseas devotees. It will be difficult to take a bath in the morning. A faithful devotee – in spite of cold weather should –take bath daily. Should faithfully perform his duty even though he might have to face difficulties. This is known as tapasya. Tapasya means one has to face danger or challenging – situations with the only – motive of spreading Krishna Consciousness.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Hurdles will come – but we should not stop or be tired. We have to continue our journey. There are many senior devotees here – they are attending morning programs and also performing various sevas. Obstacles will come we have to overcome it. We should not be frightened of it. One who is frightened has lost the battle. Fight it.
During winters and then during rainy season, we have to be – ready with our morning program. We have to fight. Srila Prabhupada mentions that we should not stop taking bath in the winters. Cleanliness is essential. Our duty is to wake up early, take a bath, offer obeisance’s to the Supreme Lord. Appytilak on our forhead and be present before the Supreme Lord. When we take the Lord’s darshan. Lord gazes on us.
Eg : if a boy – comes before his parents with scattered hair. Will the parents be happy. No. If a child is neatly cleansed and decorated, the parents take the daughter or son in their lap. Similarly, if we come before the Lord well decorated in sarees or dhotis with proper tilak Supreme is Lord is very happy, He will think this wandering jiva wants to come back to me I should give him My mercy. This is our duty and it is a form of tapasya. In one of the purports Srila Prabhupada mentions that-a woman does not hesitate to cook in the kitchen in the months of May and June, the hottest part of the summer season. Delhi is currently 52 degrees the matajis prepare bhoga for the Supreme Lord either in the temple or at home. It is her duty she has to graciously tolerate the fire. She is not telling it is very hot today I will not cook prasadam. Let us – all perform Ekadashi today. This is not true. The mataji prepares – food as a part of her grahastha responsibility.
Prepares bhoga for the Lord – gives tiffin to her husband and kids. We too should think it is our duty or our tapasya – and perform duty as per time, place and situation. Tapasya is essential for our bhakti. The devotees staying in the ISKCON temple and outside follow this daily. They wake up early for Mangalarti. You might have seen many devotees running to attend Mangalaarti and perform kirtan and japa together and hear the classes held on Srimad Bhagavatamand honour prasadam with the devotees. Chanting, feasting and dancing. Morning programs gives us strength and hence we can preach the non-devotees. The devotees give them the Lord’s mercy in the form of spiritual books, prasadam. This means the strength which we get is distributed through this medium of book distribution, peaching, harinaam etc. The morning program makes us strong hence we cannot do our seva. This is essential.
Srila Prabhupada mentions on the basis of Yuga dharma and Narada Muni sutra that he founded ISKCON for Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada is often –known as Jet age Narad Muni (Narad Muni of Kali Yuga). He has preached the entire world. ISKCON is now – all over the world. He has preached – much beyond our reach. We cannot physically see or visit all the ISCKCON temples. SrilaPrabhupada has done it alone. Why?
kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana
kṛṣṇa-śaktivinānahetārapravartana
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.[CC Antya 7.11]
All the disciples of Srila Prabhupada chant 16 rounds daily and in the morning/evening engage in preaching, kirtan and follow the 4 regulative principles. The 4 regulative principles are meant for our spiritual trainning, we gradually restrain ourselves from performing sinful activities. Narada Muni has promised that one who glorifies the Lord – will get the Supreme Lord’s mercy irrespective of his social position.
narada muni, bajayvina
‘radhika-ramana’-name
namaamani, uditahaya,
bhakata-gita-same
Translation:
When the great soul Narada Muni plays his stringed vina, the holy name of Radhika-ramanadescendsand immediately appears amidst the kirtana of the Lord’s devotees. [Verse No 1 – Narada Muni BajayVina].
It is mentioned in the Narada Bhakti Sutra that one who glorifies the Lord either in the morning or evening he will get the causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord. SrilaPrabhupada with his own example shows us that he was 70 years – and he had faced 3 major heart attacks. He had no acquaintances abroad. The circumstances were unfavourable for him. He faced severe cold. Inspite of these adversities – SrilaPrabhupada got the divine blessings of the Supreme Lord. He was on his mission to fulfil the orders of his spiritual master. Lord Himself provided him strength, hence he was successful. The task Srila Prabhupada accompanished is much beyond our understanding. Why did he establish ISKCON/ so many devotees who are chanting/book distributing? Lord has assured that one who preaches the Supreme Lord’s message and chants the holy names, gets the Supreme Lord’s mercy.
In the Chaitanya Charitamrita it is mentioned that to –attain the holy name one should discuss about one’s purification, morning duties, remembering the Lord, cleanliness and washing the face and other organs of the body. The qualifications for a devotee to get a mantra is – devotees purification. Washing one’s face in the morning. It is mentioned by – Srila Prabhupada in Chaitanya Charitamrita – that it is essential to wash one’s face and other bodily parts. Cleanliness and regularity is very essential in bhakti. Cleanliness means to clean the body and the mind slowly. Which gradually leads to our purification. Then we will be able to chant properly and we will be influenced by it.
Srila Prabhupada mentions in a letter that– I have received your congratulation message. Please accept my thank you. Please – follow the 4 regulative principles and chant 16 rounds attentively and continue your Krishna Conscious practises. We have to follow this daily. This is the foundation which will make us strong against maya. Hence, we can fight against maya. Else you will have to face the consequences. Lord is always ready to help us. Lord is more anxious than us to get us back. Hence, the Supreme Lord sends his causeless mercy to us in the form of Sri Guru, Hari and Vaishnavas. This situation in which we are currently is also the Supreme Lord’s mercy.
We cannot go to the temples, please get connected through the zoom temple. Cannot go to the temple for Bhakti Shastri, you can now attend it online. Lord is much more anxious to get us back. We take one step towards the Supreme Lord he takes 1000 steps towards us. We have to take the help of the Supreme Lord’s hands. Then we will be able to get rid of all our anxieties. Hoping this finds you in good health. Your ever well wisher. Srila Prabhupada.
sarva-dharmānparityajya
māmekaṁśaraṇaṁvraja
ahaṁtvāṁsarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmimāśucaḥ
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].
Lord is ready to help us, when we use our morning time/prime time/brahma murhat – in remembering and chanting Lord’s names. This time is not wasted but it is invested. This time will help us in attaining the Supreme Lord’s mercy and help in our progressive spiritual advancement. We get the association of devotees and senior vaishnavas who have done a lot of austerities and seva, this is not an easy thing. It is not attainable by the general public easily. Only a few selected rare devotees like 2000 or 3000 of them get this mercy. The world population is 800 crores, so here in this zoom japa temple 2000 devotees have joined. We are fortunate, so grab this opportunity of associating with the devotees. Morning programs are necessary for us. When we give our morning time to the Supreme Lord He too gives his entire day to us.
(Param Sunder Keshave Pr.) Q. Morning program is okay. How to take care of health along with morning program, we need to do exercises- like walking in the morning?
Answer :- Health is very important. Bhakti Siddhant Thakura tells us that focus on your health, sadhana and seva (HSS). When health is good then we will be able to chant. Keeping good health is essential.We need to focus on health not for our sense gratification but it is essential for our bhakti. Morning 4am to 9am is 5 hours. For doing exercises 20 minutes are sufficient for good health. Our goal is not to become body builders, our goal is to maintain good health. H. H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj and H. H. Lokanath Swami Maharaj and also Srila Prabhupada would go for morning walk with their beads. We have to connect with the Supreme Lord – also with the medium of exercises. Maharaji and other sanyasis go for morning walks with their beads. Health is important, one should have a healthy mind and body else we will be always bein anxiety like loans, not feeling like chanting, I had a fight with so and so devotee. Mind will trick us by saying invest money in so and so bank. How will I get money? We have to eat to live and not vice versa. Some people eat so much that they fall sick. Some devotees join body building courses. For maintaining our health -30 minutes of exercises is enough. Good health leads to good sadhana. Good sadhana leads to good seva. (Balance HSS-this is essential). If you want to have good body then Supreme Lord might make you an elephant in your next birth. Our focus should be on Krishna Consciousness.
(Nar Kesahari Pr.) Q- We desire to get up early in the morning daily. But we have a hard working and tiring job, how to get up early?
Ans :- In this world everyone has to perform austerities. If you feel you are working hard, the brahmacharis also attends – congregational programs at odd times. Just see Maharaji, he is an aged sanyasi plus he manages to travel so much. He preaches so much then too he is daily in front of us. Why? He has a responsibility. When we know its importance then we can wake up prabhuji. We are earning for our family. Lord is also our family. We must know its importance. I understand we all get tired. We must take care of our health and endeavour as much as we can. If our health is excellent, when we perform hard work we will get strength. If our health is not good, then we will be tired. Finally, we might fall ill and then waking up in the morning would be difficult. To get up early we must practise to go to bed early. Those having night duty can rest during the day or can rest after their chanting. Bhakti VinodaThakura had so many sevas. (Like various cases and family). He woke up early performed japa and rested for 30 minutes at 10am. We must try to balance our time in such a way, so that we can get association of devotees and can take some rest in the afternoon. Sleeping for 6 hours in a day is sufficient as per Vastu Shastra. For one who does hard work it is 7 hours and one who sleeps more than that is a sick person.
(Pihu Mataji from Chandigarh) Q – I do not have a problem in waking up early. I get up at 3am daily so that I can have my morning program. I attend Mangalaarti in the temple daily. I have a choice to complete 16 rounds before going to office as I have to leave by 8am daily for office. Or do deity worship. What should I prioritise prbji. As it is 7.30am and I have to leave at 8am. Always 3 or 4 rounds are left. I am in confusion do I do my deity worship which takes 20 minutes or complete my remaining 4 rounds of chanting. If I donot complete my 4 rounds now else it will be completed by 10pm today?
Ans:-Thank you mataji, you get up early and complete all your duties. If we have a choice or options in front of us, please remember what promise have you made to your spiritual master. We have promised for 16 rounds of japa and 4 regulative principles. We have to stress on it. Not for building new temples, devotees or brahmacharis. Chanting is our priority. We have not vowed for deity worship or fund collection. It is also important. It is not that we should ignore it. Prioritise your japa. It is foremost essential. We can do chanting in the afternoon or while travelling. 16 rounds of Japa is the most important. Time management. Chanting in the morning is the best. We can do deity worship later or do it in the mind or ask our kids to do it. We cannot tell others to do japa for us. We cannot tell others to eat prasadam for us. This chanting is our spiritual food or nourishment. We have to do it ourselves. We have taken a vow in front of our spiritual master. Deity worship we can delegate it to our kids, husbands or neighbours. Lord is kind and forgiving. He understands our intensions.
Chinmaya Devi Mataji Q- I am speaking from Bihar. Very few devotees chant here. People tell you have money so you stay at home and chant. What is the meaning of all this? When we tell them to chant they – tell we do not have time?
Ans:-People tell brahmacharis also that you donot have families hence you can visit dhams. Brahmacharis have a lot of sevas. You have a family of 4 members. Sanyasis and brahmacharis have a family of entire material world under them. Vasudeva Kutumbakam. You have holidays on Saturday and Sunday but the temple devotees are more busy on Saturday’s and Sunday’s, people feel they donot have any work. We must make them understand –that they are connecting us with the Supreme Lord. If the Prime Minister of India comes to our house, we need to give him time. We are giving time to the Supreme Lord that is a big thing, there is a lot of ignorance about it as it is unseen. Gradually, there will be awareness. We have to – ignore things spoken by them as they are seeing the Macro picture. Eg when an elephant goes for shopping thousands of dogs will bark. Elephant will ignore things and just move ahead. We have to progressively move ahead in Bhakti. Donot focus on the negatives. Continue to chant and move ahead. It is their duty to speak about the good and bad deeds. Our duty is to accept the favourable and reject the unfavourable.
Yashwant Mahajan Prabhuji Q) What happens when we worry and what happens when we contemplate? When the devotees meet they discuss their family matters (loan outstanding/children’s marriage/this is not happening). Please clear?
Ans:- Contemplation is on the Supreme Lord and worry about material or worldly things. We have to postpone the worries or anxieties for 2 hours while we are doing japa. Keep the things aside. I had asked Gurumaharaji once – while doing japa many thoughts are coming to my mind. What should I do? Maharaji – told we should not contemplate or meditate or do japa of material things. Always contemplate and focus your mind on Japa. We should focus on Supreme Lord’s i.e. chintan and not focus on our anxieties or worries. If we do not focus for 1 hour things will not change. Work while you work and chant while you chant. Focus on one thing at a time. Donot focus on 2 things. When we contemplate on the Supreme Lord it reduces our anxieties and when we focus only on our anxieties it increases. We have to tell our mind – like a small child we will give it a thought later. If a child tells – Mummy I want to go to school. His mummy will tell – Please wait we will go to the school tomorrow.
Hare Krishna
Hari Naam Prabhu ki Jai
Srila Prabhupada ki Jai
Ananta Koti Vaishnav vrinda ki Jai
Gaur Premanande Hari HariBol!!
