Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam

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Topic: Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam Date:  30^th April 2024 Speaker: HG Ananta Sesha Prabhuji om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya cakshur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine (jaya) sri-krishna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Today Japa Talk will be given by HG Anant Shesh Prabhuji. I would request everyone to turn ON their videos. Hare Krishna. My humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of Guru Maharaj and all Vaishnavas. In Caitanya Caritamrta, Mahaprabhu in the last part of the first verse of Caitanya Shikshashtakam, we are discussing that. In that, Caitanya Mahaprabhu has explained seven perfections which can be achieved from Naam Sankirtan. Mahaprabhu says “param vijayate Sri Krsna Sankirtanam”, we will try to understand that through the commentaries presented by acaryas.Yesterday we heard in conclusion, primary was: which religious process can help us to develop taste for Lord, only through devotional service and not by any other process like speculative knowledge, meditation etc. Only through pure devotional service can we develop taste for the Lord. How can we achieve pure devotional service?It is only possible by lobhmayi shraddha(insatiable faith). How can we get lobhamayi shraddha(insatiable faith)? It is possible to have strong faith only in the association of Vaishnavas and in the shelter of a spiritual master when you hear scripture. So it is not possible without hearing and therefore, Bhaktivinoda Thakur says that only with the association of devotees one can chant purely. We also do our chanting regularly and sometimes we go out for harinaam sankirtan.We regularly chant the verses of shikshashtakam. In Shikshashtakam, we hear about all the 7 perfections one can have by chanting the holy names of the Lord and we give lectures on that. All seven of these perfections are individual topics in themselves to speak upon. Many deep commentaries are presented only on 'ceto darpan marjanam,' which we are not discussing right now.Mainly, we will discuss 'param vijayate sri krsna sankirtanam.' Basically, which sankirtan are they talking about? Because we are also doing sankirtan. But we are not able to experience even one of these seven perfections. So, till now, we haven't understood the meaning, what to speak of experiencing. That means we are not doing 'Sri Krsna sankirtanam.' Or maybe that 'Sri Krsna sankirtanam' which is victorious.So, what is the meaning of 'param', 'vijayate', 'sri krsna sankirtanam'? We will discuss all these words. Sankirtan means, in the shelter of the spiritual master, you have sufficiently heard all the scriptures. Then kirtan. The word 'Param' also has a deep meaning. 1. In the kirtan of Sri Krsna, 4 stages

1. Ceto darpan marjanam
2. Sreya kairava
3. Anandam buddhi vardhanam
4. Param vijayate Sri Krsna

  Why “Param”word has been used? Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur says,  

2. This sankirtan will bring real auspiciousness. How can we understand that? We know 9 stages of devotional service given by Srila Rupa Goswami begins from shraddha to Prema.

CC Madhya 23.14-15  ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu- saṅgo ’tha bhajana-kriyā tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ Translation: In this, first you develop  adau shraddha (faith) then you get association of devotees then you hear scriptures from those devotees. SO in the shelter of devotees, when you understand the scriptures which glorifies Lord Krsna then it is called Faith. With this faith, he associates with the Lord. What is the first part of association with devotees? Adau guru padashraya - First of all, one has to take shelter of the lotus feet of the spiritual master. When one goes to the spiritual master with faith and hears from him then real chanting of the glories of the Lord begins. That is why, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur writes,”sadhusanga bhajan kriya”. First you have to take training and initiation that how to do chanting. Then real chanting begins. So here, “Param” is mentioned. Which sankirtan is really “param”. Param is topmost. You'll see in the world that there are many professional singers or chanters, and professional speakers on other demigods, but somehow they're chanting the Lord's name also. The holy name is freely available to all. Especially in India, many easily say, 'Jai Sri Rama.' The flag of Sanatan Dharma is flown by many in India. But not everyone can see the results of chanting which are mentioned here. Then which sankirtan are they talking about? That sankirtan in which one takes shelter of the spiritual master with faith and properly learns the process of chanting. In this way, when one starts sankirtan, that is the topmost - 'PARAM'. The word 'Pratibimba' is also explained. One word is 'bhakti' (devotional service), the other is 'bhakti abhaas' (impression of devotional service), and the third is 'pratibimba bhakti abhaas' (shadow of the impression of devotional service). We are not discussing this. We are discussing when one, with faith, takes shelter of the spiritual master, receives training from him, and after hearing the holy name from the spiritual master, then when one chants, that is the topmost chanting (param sankirtanam). Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains in Harinaam Chintamani the word 'pratibimba'. Just like there is the sun, when there is sunshine, sometimes clouds come in between. When clouds come in between, then you can’t see the complete effect of sunshine. It has reduced the effect of sunshine, not that there is no sunshine. Sunshine is present but the effect is reduced. This is called bhakti aabhas. When there are clouds of offenses or ignorance in our life, then we can’t experience fully the effect of the holy name. Now pratibimba, clouds are there and you can’t experience the effect of sunshine fully, but now you see the shadow of the sun. This is the perverted reflection of the sun. Then I would ask you, one is the sun which is giving sunshine but covered with clouds, but the other is the reflection sun. Will it ever give any sunshine? Reflection of the sun cannot give any facility which the sun can give. This means, there are many people who chant the holy name but their intentions are polluted by impersonalism. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains 'impersonalism'. Some people consider Krsna’s form as maya (illusion), they are impersonalist. Some people consider his holy name also impersonal. Krishna and his name are non-different. Those who don’t have faith in this, they think that the holy name is just the resource to achieve a goal. They don't think that the holy name is Krsna himself. You'll see this a lot in Vrindavan. Many saints say that the holy name is great this or that, then we will get love of God, then absorption in the pastimes of Lord Krsna, and then what happens? Then we are not two. Then we become One on the absolute platform. Somewhere you'll get the smell of impersonalism in their talks. This is pratibimba, reflection of devotional service. They haven't taken proper training under the spiritual master or in the Vaishnava sampradaya. Their chanting will not show us these seven perfections which Mahaprabhu has mentioned. In India, you'll see almost every Hindu chants. In Maharashtra, they chant, 'hare Rama Hare Rama Rama rama Hare Hare, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare.' This is the mantra they chant. But this is a shadow. They haven't taken guidance and they don't know that the name and Lord are non-different. This is what we discussed. In Mahaprabhu's teachings, they have explained the glory of sankirtan. They are discussing the pure chanting which is inside Bhajan kriya. In this, Mahaprabhu, to teach a soul about sambandh (relation with Lord), abhideya (process and resources to know Lord), and proyojana (love of godhead), himself came as a practicing devotee. This sankirtan is Lord Krsna’s form. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur says, Which sankirtan is glorious? Glorious has many meanings. Sri Krsna Caitanya Candra which is always worshipped by pure devotees. Not just Caitanya Mahaprabhu but also His associates. The Sankirtan which is inaugurated by Sriman Mahaprabhu. The chanting which is inaugurated by Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees is glorious. This can provide the Topmost rasa (mellow) - madhurya rasa. The Topmost sankirtan is taking shelter of Sriman Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Just Lika Maharaj Prataprudra said, CC Madhya 11.96 aiche prema, aiche nṛtya, aiche hari-dhvani kāhāṅ nāhi dekhi, aiche kāhāṅ nāhi śuni Translation: “I have never before seen such ecstatic love, nor heard the vibration of the holy name of the Lord chanted in such a way, nor seen such dancing during saṅkīrtana.” This is the experience of people outside also. They say, 'Kirtan of ISKCON devotees is very different from others. They call us for kirtan.' Prabhupada writes, 'Those who take shelter of Mahaprabhu, live by the teachings of Mahaprabhu, and follow all the rules and regulations, those devotees when chant, that chanting is different. It is not described in scriptures what Mahaprabhu showed to everyone. Who is that who has taken shelter of Mahaprabhu fully? That devotee is Srila Prabhupada. One who has taken shelter of Srila Prabhupada in this age of Kali that Sankirtan is the topmost. Srila Bhaktisiddhant Sarsvati says, Bhakti Sandarbha: 269 bahubhir militvā kīrtanaṁ saṅkīrtanam ity ucyate tat tu camatkāra-viśeṣa-poṣāt pūrvato’py adhikam iti jñeyam Translation: “Kīrtana [performed] by many [who have] gathered together is called saṅkīrtana. This [i.e., saṅkīrtana] is to be known as superior even to the former [i.e., kīrtana] because of [its] fostering a special type of wondrousness.” Bahubhir means not crowded, but within the association of devotees when we do sankirtan that is the Superior and topmost. Now we will discuss “Vijayate”. This material world is a place of maya devi. In this world, only Sri Krsna sankirtan is victorious. They are not talking about victory that we got in India-Pakistan match. In this commentary, we understand the meaning of vijayate. Last part of this commentary has “Sri Krsna is parabrahman, Krishna is absolute truth.Krsna has three potencies- internal, external and marginal. JIva tattva is marginal.” Everything is explained in this by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur. Lord is sat-cit-ananda(eternal,full of knowledge and bliss) and soul has the same nature. Lord is transcendental. Jiva is also transcendental. Jiva forgot about his relationship with Lord. jīv) kṛṣṇa-dās, e biśwās, korle to' ār duḥkho nāi Translation: If you just understand that the spirit soul is the eternal servant of Krsna, you will never have any more sorrows. When we forget this knowledge of this tattva(fact) then jiva turns himself away from Krsna.Which knowledge? That I(soul) exist for the pleasure of Lord, for the service of Lord.This is our eternal nature. Then the soul wants to have sense gratification. Just like because of shadow, the sun light is covered. Similarly, sould also has covering of maya. The eternal nature of soul gets covered.Then the soul is bounded in a very unnatural state. So our present state is not natural. We were participating in the pastime of the Lord in His eternal abode. The soul wanted to forget that and came in this material world.   6. The nature of the marginal potency is that it can get influenced by inferior energy.   7. The soul turns away from God and forgot his relationship with Lord. Then the soul is captured by Maya. Then the soul is trapped in the cycle of birth and death from time immemorial. So how can we get victorious? Rishabdeva says in Srima Bhagavatam, SB 5.5.5 parābhavas tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam yāvat kriyās tāvad idaṁ mano vai karmātmakaṁ yena śarīra-bandhaḥ Translation: As long as one does not inquire about the spiritual values of life, one is defeated and subjected to miseries arising from ignorance. Be it sinful or pious, karma has its resultant actions. If a person is engaged in any kind of karma, his mind is called karmātmaka, colored with fruitive activity. As long as the mind is impure, consciousness is unclear, and as long as one is absorbed in fruitive activity, he has to accept a material body. Those who fail to inquire about the self and do not experience it, lose touch with their own essence. True victory lies in seeking and understanding the self. When we engage with the superior energy of the Lord, we can transcend the influence of illusion (maya). Under maya's influence, the soul is trapped in the cycle of repeated births and deaths in the material world. After enduring countless struggles given by maya, the soul eventually comprehends the inherent misery of the material realm. It is then that one approaches a spiritual master. When the soul reaches a point of sufficient frustration, it realizes that only the guidance of holy men (sadhus) can offer salvation. Thus, the journey begins by attentively listening to the spiritual master and studying the scriptures, treating each word of the spiritual master with utmost seriousness. The desire to achieve Krishna arises when one begins to attentively hear the spiritual master. This leads to the development of the desire to attain Krishna, making one deserving of devotional service. It is evident that when one chants while seeking refuge in devotees, they hear about the essence of Bhagavad and the glories of the Lord. In today's era, there's a widespread desire to become a kirtaniya, almost like a fashionable trend. People observe figures like Aindra Prabhu and Madhav Prabhu engaging in beautiful kirtan, and they aspire to emulate them by donning a harinaam shawl, getting a tattoo, and engaging in kirtan themselves. However, Aindra Prabhu emphasized that true kirtan isn't merely about mimicry. Authentic kirtan involves chanting attentively, seeking the shelter of a spiritual master, and adhering to rules and regulations. Mere imitation cannot suffice. Aindra Prabhu once stated that those who wish to partake in the 24-hour kirtan must rigorously attend the morning program. His dedication to sadhana (spiritual practice) and his diligent study of Srila Prabhupada's books rendered his kirtan incredibly powerful. Merely copying his tunes or adopting his sitting posture cannot make one a true kirtaniya. When you have fully understood  the magnificence of the holy name under the guidance of your spiritual master, your kirtan emerges victorious over Maya. Our kirtan alone may not suffice to deliver us, let alone others. When Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur chanted, it liberated even the Brahma rakshasas, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur freed ghosts through his chanting. It all begins with attentive listening to the spiritual master. This process suppresses the influence of Maya and awakens our innate spiritual nature. This, indeed, is the process of victory. In simple words, thākura vaiṣṇava pada, avanīra sampada, śuno bhāi hoiyā eka mana āśraya loiyā bhaje, tāre kṛṣṇa nāhi tyaje, āra saba more akāraṇa-1- By Narottama Das Thakur Translation: O brother, please hear my words with rapt attention.  The lotus feet of the Vaisnavas are the most valuable treasure of this world.  These Vaisnavas continually take shelter of Lord Krsna and worship Him.  They never abandon their Lord.  They are liberated.  They are free from the cycle of birth and death. Those who chant the holy name of Sri Krishna within the shelter of devotees also engage in devotional service under their guidance. When someone chants the holy name of Sri Krishna, there may be doubt whether they will attain Krishna. However, if one seeks shelter under those devotees who themselves have taken refuge in Krishna and are engaged in devotional service, then it is guaranteed that one will attain Krishna. When HG Aindra Prabhu passed away, he delivered a lecture on the same day. It is recounted that on his appearance day, he emphasized, 'Taking shelter of the holy name of Krishna is indeed taking shelter of the Lord Himself.'" (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23) yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ prakāśante mahātmanaḥ Translation: “Unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master, all the imports of Vedic knowledge are automatically revealed.” When you place your faith, devotion, and determination in Krishna, you experience devotion and determination in Him. Similarly, when you invest all that faith, devotion, and determination in your spiritual master, the essence of all scriptures is unveiled to you. Just as you have devotion to the holy name, if you transfer that same devotion to your spiritual master, who bestowed upon you the holy name, then the holy name, form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord are all revealed. It is very important that we take shelter of a spiritual master and then chant the holy name. Shelter means 3 shelters. First shelter is Srila Prabhupada, taking shelter of his words, teachings and mood. Second shelter is spiritual master, his mood should be your life. ŚB 2.2.37 pibanti ye bhagavata ātmanaḥ satāṁ kathāmṛtaṁ śravaṇa-puṭeṣu sambhṛtam punanti te viṣaya-vidūṣitāśayaṁ Translation: Those who drink through aural reception, fully filled with the nectarean message of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the beloved of the devotees, purify the polluted aim of life known as material enjoyment and thus go back to Godhead, to the lotus feet of Him [the Personality of Godhead]. When you do sufficient hearing then the result is you chant His glories,name and fame. SImilarly,  you take complete shelter of Srila Prabhupada and spiritual master. What Spiritual master wants, you also want the same. There should be no difference with in the mood of spiritual master and disciple. SPiritual master wants to see all his disciples. How many disciples our spiritual master has? 8,000-9,000 disciples. These are the words of our spiritual master. It is full of spiritual potency. ध्यान मूलं गुरु मूर्ति पूजा मूलं गुरु पदम्। मंत्र मूलं गुरु वाक्यं मोक्ष मूलं गुरु कृपा॥१॥ अर्थ: 1: ध्यान का मूलगुरु का रूप है ,2 : पूजा कामूल गुरु के चरण हैं, 3: मंत्रका मूल गुरु का शब्द है, 4 : मुक्ति का मूल गुरु की कृपा है If you catch the mood and words of spiritual master then Holy name will be revealed to you. If you dont, then there is no effect of mantra. Many disciples like HG Acarya Prabhu, he joins Japa Talk. Our Guru Maharaj wants to join Japa Talk even when he is travelling. He is concerned for disciples. When we reached there, we wanted to take bath, unpack bags. Maharaj stopped everything and he wants to do Japa first. Maharaj reached Dehradun and there he joined Japa Talk. SPiritual master leaving aside everything is giving priority to Japa session. And disciples are thinking,”we can join tomorrow. No big deal if i dont join today.” One disciple shared his experience of chanting with spiritual master. Our Guru Maharaj wants us to chant with him. We should strictly follow the instructions of Guru Maharaj. HH Bhakti Vikas Maharaj gave lecture on the appearance day Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati Thakur. He said what is the meaning of celebrating appearance day. We call that Acarya to present in our life. This is a big statement. Are you really ready to live with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur for one day? What were the standards of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. What was the level of devotion? Can you stay with him one day? We chant “Jai Gurudeva” on his vyasa puja. Because it is coming once in year. But if he comes everyday that becomes a disturbance for a disciple. He wants freedom and privacy. FOrget Krishna. You are not ready to serve spiritual master. How will you attain Krishna? Guru Maharaj wants to give us association. But we are not ready. Because there is no faith. He has 8-9,000 disciples. Where are they? Why are they not joining on zoom? Because there are many leaders who dont have faith? A real guru is who gives shelter of Prabhupada. And a real shiksha guru is who gives shelter of diksha guru and Prabhupada. There are many shiksha guru who has starte their own Japa session. They dont chant with Guru maharaj. Or they think that zoom japa session is for neophytes. Maharaj sometimes say.” why I am not able to see leaders and brahmacharis?” There are Gurus like HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, his disciples have so strong faith in him. When he comes, all disciples run after him.When he speaks one word,their disciples so attentive. They say, he comes once every 6 months so that much we cann digest. But our Guru maharaj is coming everyday. We can’t take that much. Shiksha gurus are not via medium. Rather ther’re blocking the way. Every initiated devotee, leader, President has to be there in zoom japa session. You’re chanting in Giri Goverdhan 64 rounds. What is the use? Guru Maharaj wants us to join zoom japa session. There should be separate ID’s for every batch of initiation. We should strictly join zoom japa session. We should chant with Guru. This type of conviction can give us topmost chanting. This is param vijayate. We can’t achieve any spiritual emotions or mellows, it happens by the mercy of spiritual master.Holy name, form, qualities and pastimes will be revealed to you when you listen to your spiritual master attentively. HG Padmamali Pr- Prabhupada says in his prayer that I have entitled as Bhaktivdeanta but please you fulfill the purport. SImilarly, our guru Maharaj is Lokanath Swami. But he is really the shelter of the whole world. He has fulfilled the purport of his name. I felt that Prabhuji is speaking uncompromisingly out of love for Guru Maharaj. bhāgavata paro diya bhāgavata sthāne: "Just try to understand Bhāgavata from the person bhāgavata." We should hear Bhagavad from a Bhagavad. Prabhupada says we should not hear from professionals but from realised souls. That gives us conviction. So when prabhuji was speaking, it was not just a presentation but he was speaking his realizations, experiences and conviction. You should hear this japa talk once more. You can hear it on our Youtube channel. Srila Prabhupada ki Jai! Srila Gurudeva ki Jai!  

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