English
Japa Talk - 07-03-2024
[H.H. Lokanath Swami Maharaj]
Date: 07-03-2024
Sripad Ishvara Puri Disappearance Day
je anilo prema-dhana koruna pracur
heno prabhu kotha gela Īśvara Purīthakur
Translation:
He, who brought the treasure of divine love and who was filled with compassion and mercy--where has such a personality as Ishwar Puri gone? [Je anilo Prema dhana 1]
Śrī Īśvara Purī – Trunk of Tree of Devotional Service
All glories to the disappearance day festival of Srila Īśvara Purī! He brought the treasure of devotional service unto Krishna. He got this treasure of devotional service from Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. All glories to Śrī Mādhavendra Purī!
jaya śrī mādhavapurī kṛṣṇa-prema-pūra
bhakti-kalpatarura teṅho prathama aṅkura
Translation:
All glories to Śrī Mādhavendra Purī, the storehouse of all devotional service unto Kṛṣṇa! He is a desire tree of devotional service, and it is in him that the seed of devotional service first fructified. [CC Adi 9.10]
Hari Hari!
śrī-īśvarapurī-rūpe aṅkura puṣṭa haila
āpane caitanya-mālī skandha upajila
Translation:
The seed of devotional service next fructified in the form of Śrī Īśvara Purī, and then the gardener Himself, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, became the main trunk of the tree of devotional service.[CC Adi 9.11]
In the Adi Lila of Caitanya Caritamrita, it is mentioned by Krishan Das Kaviraj Goswami Maharaj that Śrī Mādhavendra Purīwas the ocean of devotional service or he was the is the storehouse of all devotional service unto Kṛṣṇa or he brought the devotional service. He was a desire tree of devotional service, and the seed of devotional service first fructified, these seeds may have fructified at many places. However this seed of devotional service first of all fructified in the form of Śrī Īśvara Purī, All glories to Śrī Īśvara Purī! We are celebrating the disappearance day festival of same Śrī Īśvara Purī. We are trying as it is difficult to celebratethe disappearance day festival as it is said, “heno prabhu kotha gela Īśvara Purīthakur”. It is difficult as he went away depriving all of us from his association and he proceeded. He is a desire tree of devotional service. The seed which is fructified from Śrī Mādhavendra Purī in the form of Śrī Īśvara Purī, same seed ,“āpane caitanya-mālī skandha upajila”, became the main trunk of the tree of devotional service. If Sri Madhavendra Puri, is the seed of devotional service, which fructifiedin the form Īśvara Purī and it became the trunk of Caitanya lila.
Initiation of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Śrī Īśvara Purī appeared in the place called “Kumara Hutt” more famous nearby is Kalyani. At that place, Śrī Īśvara Purī appeared. Sri Krishna CaitanyaMahāprabhu, when He became the disciple of Śrī Īśvara Purī, once He was offering obeisance to the birth place of His spiritual master, then He got a special gift from there and that was the dust of that special place. He put some dust in the corner of his dhoti and tied the knot. Then He started from there. Thereafter, every day, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to take a pinch of it. In this way, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu respected the holy birth place of His spiritual master. Following His footsteps, other devotees also used to carry the dust of that place. As a result, a big pond was created there, called, “Caitanya Dhoba” as so much of dust devotees had taken out and continue till date. I also got the opportunity to go there, when we were coming back in pad-yatra from Dwarka – Kanya Kumari – Mayapur. We were celebrating that year fifth centennial of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu in our pad yatra. I can’t tell everything in this much detail. I had to play the role of spiritual master as GBC has designated me as an initiating spiritual master. The first time when I initiated my disciples during the pad yatra halt at a place which was near to Kumara Hatta, the birth place of the spiritual master of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When I became the spiritual master for the first time then I gave the initiation near to that place. I am also saying this as the priest of that initiation ceremony was Srila Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaj. He became the priest. When Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu disappeared just like today is the disappearance day of Śrī Īśvara Purī, we feel his separation. Similarly when Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu disappeared and was no longer in this material world then all were very devasted. Among them was, Srila Sriwas Thakur was very much disturbed. He didn’t want to stay at Mayapur or Sriwas angan as all of those places would remind him of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then he left Sriwas anagan and he also left Mayapur. Do you know where did he go? He went to Kumara Hatta, the birth place of the spiritual master of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu and he started living there. All glories to the holy place of Kumara Hatta!
Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu has set this scene completely. He germinated the seed of devotional service in the garden of the heart of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. His disciple becomes Śrī Īśvara Purī. Moreover, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who doesn’t require to be a disciple. Is it required? Krishnam vande jagat gurum. Who Himself is a spiritual master, still to set an example in front of the whole world, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Himself becomes a disciple. Who becomes the spiritual master? Śrī Īśvara Purī becomes or is made His spiritual master. The spiritual master of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu!
As I said the other day, Srila Prabhupada used to say with lot of pride, “My Gurumaharaj!” All glories to Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur! Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu also used to say, “My Gurumaharaj,Śrīpad Īśvara Purī, My Gurumaharaj!” Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhugave lot of respect and was very much humble in relation to His spiritual masterŚrī Īśvara Purī.
Once Śrī Īśvara Purī was staying at the place of Gopinath acarya, I think so. I cant say exactly. He was writing a book there called, “Sri Krishna Lilamrita”. As he was writing, he used to teach it also. He used to call Gadadhar pandit at his place and tell him. Sometimes Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu also used to go there and hear this “Sri Krishna Lilamrita” from His spiritual master, Śrī Īśvara Purī. Once, Śrī Īśvara Purīsaid, “O Nimai! Can you do editing of my book? You can tell some improvements in it.”Atthat time Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Your emotions in this book are very dear to Lord as He is bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ! There can’t be any mistake in this. Evenif there is any technical fault, as it is mentioned in the verse also”
mūrkho vadati viṣṇāya dhīro vadati viṣṇave ubhayos
tu samaṃ puṇyaṃ bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ || 108 ||
Translation:
“At the time of offering obeisances to Lord Viṣṇu, a foolish person chants viṣṇāya namaḥ (this is improper due to faulty grammar) and a learned person chants viṣṇave namaḥ (this is the correct form). But both achieve equal piety by their offering of obeisances, because Lord Śrī Janārdana sees the sentiment of the living being, in other words, He sees the degree of devotion, or in other words, He awards the result accordingly (He does not see one’s foolishness or intelligence). [CB 1.11.108]
If a devotee says chants viṣṇāya namaḥ instead of Vishnave namah, although he should say Vishnave namah, but as we hear Ramaya namah or Shivay namah. Thus at the time of offering obeisances to Lord Viṣṇu, one says viṣṇāya namaḥ, in that series further one will say Radhaya namah, however it is incorrect but Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ‘bhāva-grāhī janārdanaḥ!’because Lord Śrī Janārdana sees the sentiments of the devotees.
During those days, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu was performing His vidya vilas pastime. He was very expert in the scriptures and used to defeat many learned scholars every day but He didn’t do any scriptural debate with Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. If there was anyone else or if Gadadhar Pandit would have said any wrong thing grammatically, then Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu must had corrected him and defeated him. However, maryada-vyatikram as we were discussing this in the Bhagavatam class day before yesterday. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not cross this line of respect.
When Śrī Īśvara Purī was living in Navadvip, then Caitanya Mahāprabhu had invited him for lunch, meaning, He had invited him to Yoga peeth. On that day Saci mata did not cook the food rather Nimai Himself cooked the food and offered that food to His spiritual master. When Nimai’s father had passed away then Nimai went to Gaya to perform the last rites at the famous place of ‘Vishnupad’. There also He met Śrī Īśvara Purī again and He cooked food Himself and offered to Śrī Īśvara Purī. It is also quite possible that first initiation ceremony might have held. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu was begging for initiation from Śrī Īśvara Purī, which he gave. He gave the mantra and initiated Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Hare KṛṣṇaHare Kṛṣṇa KṛṣṇaKṛṣṇa Hare Hare - Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
He got this mantra as well as ‘Das akshari mantra’. Immediately, love originated in the heart ofSri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhuand He started having the symptoms of ecstatic love. He was very much impressed by the power of this mantra.
kibā mantra dilā, gosāñi, kibā tāra bala
japite japite mantra karila pāgala
Translation:
My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? I have become mad simply by chanting this mahā-mantra!. [CC Adi 7.81]
Unparalleled Faith in Spiritual Master
While taking the mantra and getting mad on the way, He managed to return home. But He was having this question, “My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? His faith in the feet of the spiritual master is unparallel. He said there that, “I have come to this holy place. There are many other holy places but for me you are the holy place. Besides I have come here so that my ancestors are delivered. Just by seeing you all of My ancestors are going to be delivered.” Hari bol! Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu was saying such words to Śrī Īśvara Purī in Gaya.
In Varanasi, when debate was going on and the glorification of the holy name was to be established, then the debate was going on with Prakashanada Saraswati. There also, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,
prabhu kahe — śuna, śrīpāda, ihāra kāraṇa
guru more mūrkha dekhi’ karila śāsana
Translation:
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied to Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, “My dear sir, kindly hear the reason. My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me. [CC Adi 7.71]
Srila Prabhupada used to say this again and again that one should consider oneself a fool in the presence of the spiritual master. Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu also expressed similar emotions in that assembly, “My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me. You are good for nothing. You cannot do other things.
harer nāma harer nāma, harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva, nāsty eva gatir anyathā
Translation:
In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.’ ” [CC Madhya 6.242]
You just take the holy name. You are not eligible to read the scriptures. Mayawadis consider themselves fortunate.
Vedantha Vakhyeshu Sada ramantho,
Bhikshannamathrena trishtimantha,
Vishokamantha karane charantha,
Kaupeenavantha Khalu bhaghyavantha -1
Translation:
Roaming ever in the insights of Vendanta
Ever pleased, with his begger’s morseWandering onwards, his heart free from Sorrow
Blest indeed is the wearer of lion cloth [ Kaupina Panchakam by Sri Adi Shankaracharya 1]
Mayawadis say, “we don’t have much requirements as we wear lion cloth only. we are very fortunate as we are always roaming in the insights of Vedanata. We continuously read them”
However Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahāprabhu further said,
bhajagovindam bhajagovindam, govindam bhajamuudhamate.
sampraapte sannihite kaale, nahi nahirakshati dukrijnkarane .. (1)
Translation:
Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda O Fool ! The Rules of Grammar
Will not save you at the time of death [ Bhaja Govindam Stotram 1]
Dedication and Service Attitude towards Spiritual Master
Once Madhvender Puri went to Jagannath Puri to collect the sandal and while coming back, he reached Remuna, near Kshirchor Gopinath temple, Remuna. There he got the orders of the Lord in his dream, “I am the gopal of Vrindavan. There is no differ between Gopinath and Gopal of Vrindavan, therefore, you can apply sandal paste onto Gopinath. It will reach to me eventually.” Thus, Mādhavendra Purīdidn’t went back to Vrindavan. He stayed there only and spent his old age.Atthat time Śrī Īśvara Purī got the opportunity to do vapu sewa to his spiritual master. While doing all the humble services, Ishvara Puri even cleaned up his stool and urine.
īśvara-purī gosāi kare śrī-pada sevana
sva-haste karena mala-mūtrādi mārjana
nirantara kṛṣṇa-nāma karāya smaraṇa
kṛṣṇa-nāma kṛṣṇa-līlā śunāya anukṣaṇa
tuṣṭa haā purī tāṅre kaila āliṅgana
vara dilā kṛṣṇe tomāra ha-uka prema-dhana
sei haite īśvara-purī premera sāgara
rāmacandra-purī haila sarva-nindākara
Translation:
Īśvara Purī, the spiritual master of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, performed service to Mādhavendra Purī, cleaning up his stool and urine with his own hand.
Īśvara Purī was always chanting the holy name and pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa for Mādhavendra Purī to hear. In this way he helped Mādhavendra Purī remember the holy name and pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa at the time of death.
Pleased with Īśvara Purī, Mādhavendra Purī embraced him and gave him the benediction that he would be a great devotee and lover of Kṛṣṇa.
Thus Īśvara Purī became like an ocean of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, whereas Rāmacandra Purī became a dry speculator and a critic of everyone else. [ CC Antya 8.28-31]
Here, it is mentioned about one more disciple. Śrī Īśvara Purī was servant to his spiritual master, guru sevi. However, there are certain disciples who are guru bhogi or guru tyagi or guru drohi. There was one more disciple of Shri Mādhavendra Puri,Rāmacandra Purī. He also came to Remuna during that time when Shri Mādhavendra Puri was in the last leg of his journey. He was in the vipramlamh bhava as he was feeling the pangs of separation from Lord Krishna. He was feeling it as well as he was expressing by saying, “When will I able to attain Lord? Lord had gone to Mathura. When will he come back? When I will be able to see Him?” Shri Mādhavendra Puri, was felling such pain of separation and at that time, Rāmacandra Purī arrived there and said
tumi----purna-brahmananda, karaha smarana
brahmavit hana kene karaha rodana?
Translation:
“If you are in full transcendental bliss,” he said, “you should now remember only Brahman. Why are you crying?” [CC Antya 8.21]
You yourself are absolute brahman, Aham Brahmasmi! Realise this and then where is the separation? Feeling of separation won’t trouble you anymore. Hari Hari!
suni' madhavendra-mane krodha upajila
'dura, dura, papistha' bali' bhartsana karila
Translation
Hearing this instruction, Mādhavendra Purī, greatly angry, rebuked him by saying, “Get out, you sinful rascal! [CC Antya 8.22]
He embraced one disciple and showered all of his love on Īśvara Purī. On the other hand, another disciple of Shri Mādhavendra Puri, is doing maryada-vyatikrama, i.e. transgressing all the etiquettes. Rāmacandra Purī is a stunning example of it. “Stay away! O Sinful! Stay away! Go from here!” He sent him away!
more mukhanādekhābi tui, yāoyathi-tathi
tore dekhi’ maile mora habeasad-gati
Translation:
“Don’t show your face to me! Go anywhere else you like. If I die seeing your face, I shall not achieve the destination of my life.[CC Antya 8.24]
kṛṣṇa nāpāinumuñimaroṅāpanāraduḥkhe
more ‘brahma’ upadeśe ei chāramūrkhe”
Translation:
“I am dying without achieving the shelter of Kṛṣṇa, and therefore I am greatly unhappy. Now this condemned foolish rascal has come to instruct me about Brahman.”[CC Antya 8.25]
sei haite īśvara-purī--'premera sāgara'
rāmacandra-purī haila sarva-nindākara
Translation:
Thus Īśvara Purī became like an ocean of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, whereas Rāmacandra Purī became a dry speculator and a critic of everyone else.[CC Antya 8.31]
sāgara' and nindākara, these two rhyming words are being used here.
mahad-anugraha-nigrahera 'saksi' dui-jane
ei dui-dvare sikhaila jaga-jane
Translation:
Īśvara Purī received the blessing of Mādhavendra Purī, whereas Rāmacandra Purī received a rebuke from him. Therefore these two persons, Īśvara Purī and Rāmacandra Purī, are examples of the objects of a great personality's benediction and punishment. Mādhavendra Purī instructed the entire world by presenting these two examples.. [CC Antya 8.32]
One received the blessing whereas another received a rebuke. In this way, Mādhavendra Purī, has given this teaching that whom does teachers give benediction and who are rebuked. Īśvara Purī has given orders to two disciples, one was Govind and the second one was Kashishwar. Both of them were god brothers of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Later they become the personal servants of Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Jagannath Puri and serve Him. Such types of ideals were also put forth by Īśvara Purī.
Heights of Humility
He was very humble.
trnad api sunicena taror api sahiSriuna
amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih
Translation:
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly. [Shikshashtakam 3]
He was a vivid example of humility. While attending any program, he would come quietly and sit among the masses. It’s a new place or new people so they won’t know that whether Īśvara Purī has come or not. Even if he has come, who is Īśvara Purī, no one would know. How did people come to know it? When kirtan or katha was going on then by hearing that kirtan and katha Īśvara Purī would come to ecstasy and started rolling on the floor. He would get goose bumps! Then everyone would know, Ah! That’s Īśvara Purī”. If one wanted to know “Who is Īśvara Purī?” there are thousands of people sitting but which one is Īśvara Purī? Lets do kirtan and katha. Just by hearing Krishna katha and by remembering it, Īśvara Purī would have all the eight symptoms of ecstasy.
All glories to SripadĪśvara Purī
Gaur Premanand Hari Hari bol!
