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Japa Talk by H.G Anantsesha Prabhu Date: 29-04-2024 Hare Krishna. Main Theme: “Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam”. Sub-Theme: Advent of Shiksashtakam In today’s Zoom Japa Talk, Under the guidance of Gurumaharaj Ji, we have a special class by Shriman Anant Shesh Prabhu Ji for today’s Japa discourse. Hare Krishna Gurumaharaj Ji said, “I am in ISKCON Vrindavan.” Prayers by H.G Anantsesha Prabhu I was asked to prepare for a 3-day lecture series. I was wondering which topic I should choose. Then I remembered,about a year ago, we had heard a series of lectures on Shri Shikshashtakam and ten offenses from Guru Maharaj. I thought of talk on those topics. I would like to continue speaking based on that series with the topic as “Param Vijayate Sri krishnaSankirtanam”. We will hear some more instructions from Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Earlier we had discussed in 8 sessions for 8 verses. But currently we will be discussion on this topic on the verse “Param Vijeyati Sri Krishna Sankirtinam”. In Chaitanya Caritramrita in Antya Lila in the last chapter we see, Shri Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami writes that when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was residing in Nilachal residing in Gambira. Mahaprabhu was completely absorbed in the mood of Srimati Radharani. In the mood of complete absorption in the mood for Srimati Radharani Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says. ei-matamahāprabhuvaisenīlācale rajanī-divasekṛṣṇa-virahevihvale Translation While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus resided at JagannāthaPurī [Nīlācala], He was continuously overwhelmed, night and day, by separation from Kṛṣṇa. [CC Antya 20.3] Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was overwhelmed, night and day, by separation from Kṛṣṇa. During that period two associates, namely SvarūpaDāmodaraGosvāmī and RāmānandaRāya observed this. svarūpa, rāmānanda, — eiduijana-sane rātri-dine rasa-gīta-ślokaāsvādane Translation Day and night He tasted transcendental blissful songs and verses with two associates, namely SvarūpaDāmodaraGosvāmī and RāmānandaRāya..[CC Antya 20.4] Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with his associates Swarupa Damodar and Ramananda Raya, enjoyed (day and night) various moods of devotional service. Who are the friends Lalita and Vishakha in Krishna’s pastimes? nānā-bhāvauṭheprabhuraharṣa, śoka, roṣa dainyodvega-ārtiutkaṇṭhā, santoṣa Translation He relished the symptoms of various transcendental emotions, such as jubilation, lamentation, anger, humility, anxiety, grief, eagerness and satisfaction. [CC Antya 20.5] Sometimes He relished the symptoms of various transcendental emotions, such as jubilation, lamentation, anger, humility, anxiety, grief, eagerness and satisfaction. And they discussed, various transcendental emotions of Chaitanya Mahaprabhuand from those discussions or emotions words are getting woven and henceShikshashtakam was born. sei seibhāvenija-ślokapaḍiyā ślokeraarthaāsvādaye dui-bandhulañā Translation He would recite His own verses, expressing their meanings and emotions, and thus enjoy tasting them with these two friends. [CC Antya 20.6] Swarupa Damodar and Ramananda Raya, witnessed various moods of devotional service. Who are the friends Lalita and Vishakha in Krishna’s pastimes? kona dine konabhāveśloka-paṭhana sei ślokaāsvāditerātri-jāgaraṇa Translation Sometimes the Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste. [CC Antya 20.7] Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste. This mahabhava of Srimati Radharani became Sri Skiashashtkam. We hear this shloka prabhura ‘śikṣāṣṭaka’-ślokayeipaḍe, śunekṛṣṇeprema-bhakti tārabāḍe dine-dine                                                 Translation If anyone recites or hears these eight verses of instruction by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, his ecstatic love and devotion for Kṛṣṇa increase day by day. [CC Antya 20.65] Sri KrishnadasKaviraja Goswami gives the summary and importance of reading these eight verses of instruction by  Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Whoever recites or hears these eight verses of ‘Shikshashtakam’ by Lord Chaitanya, their love and devotion for Krishna increases day by day.We read this verse daily. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu speaks about the following emotions in this verse. Sub-Theme: Glories of Shiksashtakam Now we will recite the Shloka and then discuss it further 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] We recite this shloka every day. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to recite these verses every day. He is expressing these emotions kona dine konabhāveśloka-paṭhana sei ślokaāsvāditerātri-jāgaraṇa Translation Sometimes the Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste. [CC Antya 20.7] In great jubilation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, harṣe prabhu kahena, — “śunasvarūpa-rāma-rāyanāma-saṅkīrtana — kalauparamaupāya Translation In great jubilation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “My dear SvarūpaDāmodara and RāmānandaRāya, know from Me that chanting the holy names is the most feasible means of salvation in this Age of Kali. [CC Antya 20.8] Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tells Ramananda Raya, in this Kali Yuga, the most effective means is the chanting of the holy names of the Lordand whoever chants the holy names of the Lord will surely attain the lotus feet of the Lord. Now Let us hear explanation given by Sri Krishnadas Kavi Raja. saṅkīrtana-yajñekalaukṛṣṇa-ārādhana sei ta’ sumedhāpāyakṛṣṇeracaraṇa Translation “In this Age of Kali, the process of worshiping Kṛṣṇa is to perform sacrifice by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who does so is certainly very intelligent, and he attains shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. [CC Antya 20.9] Performing Sankirtana includes all different sacrifices one is performing devotional service for Sri Krishna. The name Sankirtana destroys all miseries from our heart, it destroys the propensity to commit sins, it cleanses the consciousness and helps us practice devotional services unto the Lotus feet of Sri Krishna. saṅkīrtana-pravartakaśrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya saṅkīrtana-yajñetāṅrebhaje, sei dhanya Translation Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed..[CC Adi3.77] Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the initiator of saṅkīrtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord]. One who worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed. sei ta’ sumedhā, ārakubuddhisaṁsāra sarva-yajñahaitekṛṣṇa-nāma-yajñasāra Translation Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances, the chanting of the Lord’s holy name is the most sublime.[CC Adi 3.78] Krishna Raj Kaviraj says such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of repeated birth and death Performing Sankirtana includes all different sacrifices. Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says in connection to the 1st verse of Sri Shikashtakam nāma-saṅkīrtanahaitesarvānartha-nāśasarva-śubhodaya, kṛṣṇa-premeraullāsa Translation “Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Kṛṣṇa. [CC Antya 20.11] The first three lines from the first verse of Srishistatkam explains that one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Kṛṣṇa. The name Sankirtana destroys all miseries from our heart, it destroys the propensity to commit sins, it cleanses the consciousness and helps us practice devotional services with love. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu summaries these three points in this verse.
  1. Free from Undesirable habits
  2. Awakens good fortune and at the end
  3. Initiating flow of waves of love for krsna
saṅkīrtanahaitepāpa-saṁsāra-nāśana citta-śuddhi, sarva-bhakti-sādhana-udgama Translation “By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart and awaken all varieties of devotional service.[CC Antya 20.13] The name Sankirtana destroys all sins and miseries from our heart, it destroys the propensity to commit sins, it cleanses the consciousness and helps us practice devotional services. It gives rise to all resources for devotional service. kṛṣṇa-premodgama, premāmṛta-āsvādana kṛṣṇa-prāpti, sevāmṛta-samudremajjana  Translation “The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Kṛṣṇa and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.” [CC Antya 20.14] The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Kṛṣṇa and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love. I thinking about this that whatever process we follow is of very high standard and is of top most importance. It increases faith for us for Chanting, It gives birth to love for Krishna. Once I was at a Japa retreat with the highly revered Bhurijana Prabhu who is a Senior Disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He was speaking about the glory of the Hare Krishna mantra.  He was guiding us during the chanting and then my attention was disturbed. The highly revered Bhurijana Prabhu noticed this and then he said.Is there is nothing more important in this entire universe than chanting the holy names. Can we even feel how important it is to chant the holy names. You are most fortunate person to do this in this world. Why we are not able to find bliss in chanting because we have not understood the importance and essence of chanting and taking shelter under  “NAM” with full faith. We have not understood the importance of Sankirtan as we see Shivaji what said to Uma about Sri Ram Uma Ram SubhauJehin Jana Teni hi bajan taj bhavna ana Yah shabdjasuur ava raghuoati Charan bahagti soi pava  Translation  “Hey Uma! One who understands Lord Rama’s nature forsakes all other pursuits. The heart that receives this dialogue becomes devoted to Lord Raghunath’s feet.” [Tulsidas’ Ramacharitamanas, Sundarkand] If a person realises even a tinch, he cannot stop chanting the holy name for even for a second. “Uma Ram SubhauJehin Jana” . Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur while explaining this verse says, “Supreme victory to the Sankirtana of Shri Krishna”, as per Verse 1 of Shisashtakam. We know one gets seven Siddhis “Nam Siddhi”. We see Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu has used this statement “ ParamVijayaiteSri Krishna Sankirtanam” Shrila Bhakti Vinod Thakura speaks while explaining this verse, " Param Vijayaite Sri Krishna Sankirtanam" in SanmodhanaBhasayam also called as Vivtuttias explained in Srimad Bhagavatam bhagavān brahma kārtsnyenatriranvīkṣya manīṣayā tad adhyavasyatkūṭa-sthoratirātmanyatobhavet Translation The great personality Brahmā, with great attention and concentration of the mind, studied the Vedas three times, and after scrutinizingly examining them, he ascertained that attraction for the Supreme Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the highest perfection of religion..[ŚB 2.2.34] Lord Brahma contemplated his reading of all the Vedas for three times and then he said the following concluding words, the essence of all the Vedic Scriptures is to develop attachment for the supreme personality of Godhead. This is highest dharma for human to develop attachment for the supreme personality of Godhead. Whatever service we render to the Lord, we can attain it’s perfection by checking whether it has helped us to develop attachment, attraction or Lord for Krishna or not . We can develop this attachment for the Lord only by executing devotional service and there is no other means. Which sort of Devotional service (Bhakti) helps us to develop this Love? We receive devotional service when we hear the scriptures like Shrimad Bhagavatam in the association of loving devotees of the Lord And then the faith in which we develop that faith only can bless us with pure devotional service. As explained in Srimad Bhagavatam dharmaḥsvanuṣṭhitaḥpuṁsāṁ viṣvaksena-kathāsuyaḥnotpādayed yadiratiṁśramaeva 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] The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position are only so much useless labour if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Personality of Godhead. What is the measurement for the same, how much attraction one gets to hear the pastimes and activities of Lord Srikrishna. This is what Brahama ji explained in Srimad Bhagavatam. How to get Rati “Iti Siddhanta VakyanamKevalam Bhakti Siddhant naaneyana Karma Gyananima  All these siddhi’s are love or Rati for srikrishna, one has to get attraction for Lord Sri Krsna. This rati or love for Lord Krsna cannot be achieved by (Karma) fruitive work or (Gyan) Knowledge. The only process is Bhakti. Sri Bhakti Vinod Thakur while explaining the verse Sri Krsna Sankirtanam, that this Bhakti can be achieved through the love or rati. “Shastra avadharanmayi Bhagavan leelamadhuri log mayinashud bhakti labyanna”Dharma is prem and then one needs to elevate to transcendental level i.evisdhu Bhakti. Vishud bhakti is achieved through the love for Shastras. i.eSrimadBhagavatam, when heared in association of the devotees and develop strong faith towards shastra and attraction to hear pastimes of lord. Attraction for hearing pastime of Lord and hearing from pure devotees of Lord which will help in increasing the Pure bhakti And then the faith we develop, that faith can bless us with pure devotional service… The highly revered Sacinandana Swami Maharaj says it’s difficult to think about the Lord while chanting the holy nameand if you want to think about the Lord, you need to regularly read Srimad Bhagavatamwhile chanting the holy name. Until one reads, Srimad Bhagavatam they cannot remember the Lord. satāṁprasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavantihṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥkathāḥ taj-joṣaṇādāśvapavarga-vartmani śraddhābhaktirratiranukramiṣyati Translation In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.[SB 3.25.25] To develop faith and transcendental love, one needs to hear from the devotees of the Lord his pastimes and glories. Especially one needs to sit near the lotus feet of the spiritual master and hear from them with a humble attitude. pibanti ye bhagavata ātmanaḥ satāṁkathāmṛtaṁśravaṇa-puṭeṣu sambhṛtampunantiteviṣaya-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]. [SB 2.2.37] Until one drinks the nectar of Srimad Bhagavatam from the vessel of their ears, their satisfaction is not complete. How much hearing is sufficient? Once the vessel is filled, the liquid overflows. Similarly, when a person hears well, especially from the spiritual master, they naturally start speaking filled with the glories of the Lord then that glory starts flowing in the form of the holy name of the Lord. Thus, by listening attentively, the spiritual practitioner becomes capable of speaking about the glories of the Lord. The intimate and confidential association with the Lord acts as a remedy for the disease of this material world. As per nine step of devotional service hearing and chanting are the most important. And it helps one to advance to the different stages of the devotional service like Shradha, Nishtha and Ruchi. It helps the person move forward in various stages of devotional service such as faith, steadiness, and taste. When one takes shelter of the spiritual master and listens humbly, then they can truly perform the name Sankirtana. Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur has written a song kṛṣṇa-nāmadharekotobal viṣaya-vāsanānale,  moracittasadājwale, ravi-tapta maru-bhūmi-sam karna-randhra-pathadiyā,  hṛdimājhepraveśiyā, variṣoyasudhāanupam Translation How much power does the name of Krsna possess? My heart constantly burns in the fire of worldly desires, like a desert scorched by the sun. The holy name, entering within my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul. [By Bhakti Vinod Thakur – Text 1, Sarangati] The holy name, entering within my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul. Especially listen through your ears, as Srila Prabhupada also says we should hear it from lips of Guru and then one becomes eligible for chanting. Bhakti Vinod Thakur explains futher as Bagawan Kapil dev in 3rd Canto says. satāṁprasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavantihṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥkathāḥ taj-joṣaṇādāśvapavarga-vartmani śraddhābhaktirratiranukramiṣyati Translation In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart. By cultivating such knowledge one gradually becomes advanced on the path of liberation, and thereafter he is freed, and his attraction becomes fixed. Then real devotion and devotional service begin.[SB 3.25.25] One who has full faith in Kṛṣṇa (śraddhā) and surrenders unto Him is eligible for being raised to the level of prema, which Lord Caitanya taught as the highest perfectional stage of human life. Vaidhi Bhakti or Raganuga Bhakti develops from attentive hearing and then gradually transforms into pure devotional service. But if one does not hear regularly, it will slowly fade away. Therefore, Sankirtana is the first step in the teachings of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. We are fortunate to chant the name in the presence of Srila Gurudeva and hear Shriharinama from him. This is the greatest fortune. When Gurumaharaj sees us chanting the name. They feel great joy. If we do not chant in presence of Satsang and pure devotees it impacts our chanting. As the highly revered Bhakti Prem Swami Maharaj said, it is the greatest misfortune that some devotees still turn off their videos. It is like Gurumaharaj has come to our house to meet us and we close our doorsand what’s worse is that sometimes devotees do not even turn on the audio. They say, when we chant the name, the audio is disturbing us Tomorrow we will read further details. How full benefit is obtained from Sankirtana done in the presence of Gurudeva I stop here now.    

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