English
Thank you all for joining here at Kumbha-Mela. We had 249 participants today, or more , as many of you are chanting in a groups. ……janma sarthak kari kar paropkar (C.C. Adi 9.41). –Get more devotees to join, inspire others to chant together. This is also a favour.
Dhama –vas is one of the principal angas (limbs) of devotion. I am here in Prayagraj. As you join this conference , you get connected with the dhama through this conference. You don’t have to leave your comfort zone, or wherever you are. This connects you with the dhama. You are all chanting with me , here in Prayagraj and you get the benefit of chanting in the Dhama. Yesterday more than 8000 books of Prabhupada have been distributed, which also had Kumbha – A Festival of Immortality’ - distributed with it. It is a book which I compiled as a Mahant of Kumbha-mela. Yesterday 1500 plates of full meal prasada was distributed. 250 pilgrims chanted one round of Hare Krishna. As per Prabhupada’s instructions in 1977 - ‘ to chant , dance and distribute his books in Kumbha-mela’. Yesterday we did that all with great enthusiasm. One branch of Padayatra devotees are also here with Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar. We have a few Western devotees also with us , attracting the attention of thousands to the holy name and introducing the Deities of Nityananda and Gauranga i.e. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu to them as people in general know Ram, Krishna, But they don’t know about Nityananda and Gauranga.
Chanting is the best thing to do. That is what Caitanya Mahaprabhu did when he came here for Magh Mela 100 years ago. He chanted and danced all over. His chanting and dancing influenced laksha laksha lok(millions and millions of people). They were chanting and dancing with the Lord. That time Rupa Goswami and Anupam who is also known as Vallabh, were watching Mahaprabhu chanting and dancing from a distance. They were hiding and watching him. One of the South Indian Brahmins had called Mahaprabhu to his home for Bhiksha. Rupa and Anupam followed him over there. After Mahaprabhu had his prasada, they went closer to Mahaprabhu. They had met Mahaprabhu earlier in Ram-Keli. This was their second time. They were meeting the Lord of their heart. They offered him full dandavat. Both of them were holding straw in their teeth to exhibit all humility at their commend. They were offering obeisances and prayers to the Lotus Feet of Gauranga again and again. They would bow down and get up , offer prayers and again bow down . This happened many times . The famous prayer which you chant many times –‘ namo maha vadanyay krsna prema pradayate, krsnaya krsna caitanya namne gaura twise namaha’ ( Caitanya Mahaprabhu pranam mantra) was offered to Mahaprabhu here in Prayag by Rupa Goswami.
Initially no one knew where this prayer was offered. Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu then told both the brothers to stop their obeisances and sit down closer to him. He inquired about Sanatan? They informed Him that he was imprisoned by the Nawab and they did not have any information of him then. They requested the Lord to please help to get him released, But Mahaprabhu replied , that he has already been released. Mahaprabhu is ‘sarvajnya’ ( All knowing). He informed that not only that he has been released, but they will soon see him in Benaras, or Varanasi. (30 km. east of Prayag is Varanasi). As Rupa and Anupam talked, Sripad Vallabhacarya arrived, who stayed across the Yamuna. Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced Rupa and Anupam to Vallabhacrya. They all offered obeisances to each other. After that Vallabhacarya got up and approached Rupa and Anupam as he wanted to embrace them. But Both of them started running away from Vallabhacarya saying ‘ We are not qualified, we are untouchable, don’t touch us. ‘ Vallabhchaarya was surprised at this reaction, but Mahaprabhu was pleased at their response . That was the extent of their humility. ‘trinadapi sunicena tarorapi sahishuna , amanina manden kirtaniya sada harihi’ ( Siksastakam verse 3) Rupa Goswami is humility personified, always respecting others being tolerant. That is the reason why he was always chanting – kirtaniya sada hari. It was possible for him , because he was chanting in that state of mind. We are Rupanuga’s - followers of Rupa Goswami. He and also Caitanya Mahaprabhu are our Acaryas. Meditate on the qualities and personality of Rupa Goswami and follow in his foot steps. Take inspiration from him, to chant the Holy name , constantly, always and every where.
Some of you are occasional chanters on this conference and don’t chant with us regularly. As a result our numbers are dropping. So be regular. Chant with the devotees all over the planet. Experience the power of association. Sange saksi kalua yuge. There is a power of unity and association. Caitanya Mahprabhu would gather devotees and always dance and play kartals in Sankirtana or do Japa. He always encouraged to come together and chant. That is congregational chanting. This was the Supreme Lord’s instructions and we are trying to follow according to the Lord’s instructions and get some inspiration. Gauranga was always encouraging sankirtana chanting of Harinama . We are trying to follow the Lord’s instructions to come together and chant which is congregational chanting. So on this conference we are doing congregational chanting. This was the Supreme Lord’s mercy. Although you are not here, at Kumbha , you are getting the nectar . Nectar of the Holy name from here.
Take the Holy name and say Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ! You are receiving the best nectar from Kumbh-Mela over here.
Hare Krishna!
