Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Faith in guru helps in understanding scriptures | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.38

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.38
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Monday, 2^nd June 2025
• Speaker: HG Anand Vardhan Prabhu

HG Anand Vardhan Prabhu discussed about the importance of having “faith in guru” in his Srimad Bhagavatam class. He was speaking on SB 11.3.38.

ŚB 11.3.38

nātmā jajāna na mariṣyati naidhate ’sau
na kṣīyate savana-vid vyabhicāriṇāṁ hi
sarvatra śaśvad anapāyy upalabdhi-mātraṁ
prāṇo yathendriya-balena vikalpitaṁ sat

Translation

Brahman, the eternal soul, was never born and will never die, nor does it grow or decay. That spiritual soul is actually the knower of the youth, middle age and death of the material body. Thus the soul can be understood to be pure consciousness, existing everywhere at all times and never being destroyed. Just as the life air within the body, although one, becomes manifest as many in contact with the various material senses, the one soul appears to assume various material designations in contact with the material body.

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.38

1. The conditioned living entity is originally part and parcel of the superior, internal potency of the Lord, but being in contact with illusion, he falls under the clutches of the external potency.
2. Although the visible material body passes through boyhood, adolescence and old age, or although one may take birth as a demigod, human being, plant or animal, the spirit soul never changes his eternal constitutional position.
3. …one should understand oneself to be eternally a conscious servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Below article is based on the class given by HG Anand Vardhan Prabhu

Realization does not come just by remembering verses

Jiva atma is the observer, he sees the activities of the world. We have some freedom and when we misuse it, we get reaction. Why we experience pain in this world? It is because we are attached to the things of this world. Like if one is driving a car and there is dent in a car then a person who is very attached to the car becomes mad. But when a person is not so attached, he will not feel that much pain. Similarly, our physical and mental pain is dependent on the degree of attachment we have with our mind and body. If someone insults us, then we know that he is insulting not me but my physical body and mind. We won’t be much disturbed. This realization cannot come just by remembering the verses. Some may have lots of knowledge, know all the verses but realization may still not be there.

Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Maharaja was not educated materially. But when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura saw him, he got attracted by his transcendental qualities and wanted diksha from him. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was a great scholar, he was shruti dhar. Once he heard he remembered everything.

But Gaur Kishor Das Babaji Maharaja could not read or write. But he could understand everything. When Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura would speak on Srimad Bhagavatam then he would hear from him. When someone has faith in guru, he gets the understanding of the scriptures. By scholarly presentation, one may touch someone’s mind but not heart.

Faith in guru brings transcendental intelligence

Prabhupada had lots of knowledge, wrote so many books but his presentation was crystal clear. Whatever he said in the beginning, later too he said the same. He did not change anything. Srila Prabhupada knew what Krishna wants, and he was giving that. His purpose was serving the jivas. At death bed, does a doctor will show his knowledge or try to save the patient? Prabhupada was trying to save us all who are spiritually dead.

This world is a dead world. Someone not having knowledge of Krishna is like dead body.

Prabhupada would say Krishna Consciousness is urgency not a matter of choice.

Bhakti is simple. But there is a difference between one who is doing bhakti, and one is thinking I am doing bhakti. Prabhupada says, “Advancement in Krishna Consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower.”

We should do bhakti sincerely. Also, we should always remember the reason why we are here in Iskcon. We are here to serve the devotees, serve guru, serve the mission of Prabhupada and purify ourselves. If we deviate from this purpose, then it is dangerous. We will get transcendental intelligence when we have faith in the words of guru. And also when we do not do apradh against guru and devotees.

Devotee serves the Lord and saves himself from all dangers

During Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s time there was one Ramdas Biswas. He always chanted the name of Rama. Raghunath Das Goswami was impressed but Mahaprabhu understood his purpose that he wanted to become Rama. He was a Mayavadi, he wanted to become God.  Mayavadi uses guru as ladder. Once they climb then they throw the ladder. People want to become God, we should try to protect ourselves from such people.

We should continuously keep on hearing the words of the guru. He will keep guiding us from inside. Also, we should do bhakti very carefully. In bhakti there is no suffering but if we do so called bhakti with wrong consciousness then suffering is there. A devotee always desires to serve the Lord and so he is free from all sufferings.

He is also free from all fear including the fear of death. Materialists think that death is the end of everything.  But a devotee surpasses death. Even in the most negative situation, a devotee, a bhakta, has hope.

Material happiness is illusory | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.37

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.37
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Sunday, 1^st June 2025
• Speaker: HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu

While speaking on Srimad Bhagavatam verse SB 11.3.37, HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu explained in detail that how “Material happiness is illusory.”

SB 11.3.37

sattvaṁ rajas tama iti tri-vṛd ekam ādau
sūtraṁ mahān aham iti pravadanti jīvam
jñāna-kriyārtha-phala-rūpatayoru-śakti
brahmaiva bhāti sad asac ca tayoḥ paraṁ yat

Translation

Originally one, the Absolute, Brahman, comes to be known as threefold, manifesting itself as the three modes of material nature — goodness, passion and ignorance. Brahman further expands its potency, and thus the power to act and the power of consciousness become manifest, along with the false ego, which covers the identity of the conditioned living being. Thus, by the expansion of the multipotencies of the Absolute, the demigods, as the embodiment of knowledge, become manifest, along with the material senses, their objects, and the results of material activity, namely happiness and distress. In this way the manifestation of the material world takes place as the subtle cause and as the material effect visible in the appearance of gross material objects. Brahman, which is the source of all subtle and gross manifestations, is simultaneously transcendental to them, being absolute.

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.37

1. ..since the Absolute is eternal existence, this material world, being the potency of the Absolute, must also be accepted as real, although the various manifestations of the material world are temporary and thus illusory.
2. The conditioned soul must come to understand, “I am a pure spirit soul, part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Now let me stop my useless activities and serve Kṛṣṇa, since I am part of Him.”
3. Therefore, if one is prematurely dazzled by the expansion of the Lord’s bodily effulgence, known as Brahman, and therefore does not actually come to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no possibility of actually understanding one’s eternal identity as an eternal blissful expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Below article is based on the class given by HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu

Are we independent to enjoy

A bullock cart driver pulls the rope tied to the right nostril of the bull and the bull thinks that he is moving towards right on its own. The driver then pulls the rope tied to the left nostril and the bull moves to left thinking it is moving on his own. And then the driver does not do anything, and bull moves straight. But each time, the bull thinks it is in control of his movement.

Similarly, maya devi binds us with the three modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. Sometimes she puts us in goodness, sometimes in passion and other times in ignorance. But each time we think that we are acting as per our own choice independently. This is the nature of the conditioned soul.

We want to enjoy in this world. But it is explained that material enjoyment is an illusion. Mayavadi say that material world is illusion. They say that the material object does not exist, for example a building does not exist. But this is wrong understanding.

A devotee (sadhakas) thinks that material happiness is illusory. But this is also paradoxical. Suppose that we are offered a gulab jamun (a sweet) and when we are eating it, we are experiencing happiness then how can we say its illusory? We have theoretical understanding that material happiness is illusory. There is indeed some happiness in material enjoyment. So, how scriptures say its illusory.

There are three reasons why material happiness is illusory. Let us reflect upon those.

Three problems with material happiness

1.Happiness is insignificant

The happiness which we get in this material world is insignificant. It is said that in this world we get that much happiness which prevents us from getting unlimited happiness.

Suppose that the happiness we get here is x, then in heavenly planet we get 1000 times more happiness i.e. 1000x. And as we keep on going to higher planets happiness keeps on multiplying. In this material world, happiness is highest in Brahmaloka. And if we go beyond this material world then in the spiritual world the happiness is infinite.  So, whatever happiness we get here is very insignificant as compared to the happiness, we get in spiritual world like Goloka.

A real example to illustrate the point

Once in Italy, devotees were on Harinam Sankirtan.  It was a sunny day. Devotees did Sankirtan for long time and they were tired and were also sweating.  They were thinking of taking bath in cold water and they came near a lake. Everyone was excited. The kirtan reached crescendo. They thought that this is pinnacle of happiness. They took off their clothes and jumped into the lake. The water was cool, and they felt relieved from exhaustion.

But suddenly they were bitten by something. Then they show that it was jelly fish. The sting was painful. Within no time everyone was getting bitten by jelly fish. Some devotees jumped out of the lake, but some thought let me go to other side of the lake and enjoy the cold water. But the entire lake was infested with jelly fish.

By the time the devotees came out of water their body was red like a hot charcoal. The happiness was there in the water of the lake, but the pain of the sting of jelly fish overpowered the happiness.

So, it is said that some happiness is there here, but it is accompanied with lots of miseries.

2. Material enjoyment makes us attached

Material enjoyment binds us. We get attached to the object we are trying to enjoy. If we take the example of social media especially you tube reels then we see that people spend hours watching reels. Each reel is just a minute or two long but one gets addicted to it and keeps on watching for hours.  Now there is unlimited browsing facility on internet and people are becoming addicted to internet.

Devotees also many times think that little sense gratification is fine and is also required for survival. But what start little does not end little.

For example, when a bait is offered to a fish then fish think that it’s a nice eatable for me to enjoy. Fish thinks that I will only take the food and quickly come out of it. So, the fish pounces on the bait. The fisherman immediately does not do anything. He waits for some time till the fish comes under its grip. Fish does not understand that it is being caught and by the time it understands it is too late.

Similarly, we are given free sample for enjoyment, and we think we will enjoy little but slowly get entangled. And then we get so much attached to it that even if we ty to come out of it, it becomes nearly impossible. So, material enjoyment is dangerous too.

3.Material enjoyment causes reaction

Whatever we try to enjoy, we get reaction for this. Material enjoyment leads to suffering. We have experienced this. Sometimes the reaction come late but comes for sure. As devotees we are fortunate, because when we try to enjoy then Krishna gives quick token punishment. And then we realize that it happened because we attempted to enjoy. So, for a happy life, we should give up desire for material enjoyment.

Solution

These are the three reasons why material enjoyment is called illusory.

Despite knowing this fact, we do not understand that material enjoyment is illusory.

It is said that a person cannot take to Krishna Consciousness unless he understands that material happiness is illusory. And it is also said that a person cannot understand that material happiness is illusory unless he takes to Krishna Consciousness.

So, the crux of the matter is to understand that material enjoyment is illusory and it is important for all of us to take to Krishna Consciousness.

Everyone is a devotee of Krishna | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.36

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.36
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Saturday,31^st May 2025
• Speaker: HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP)

About HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP)

HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP) is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. She was born in Australia. From the age of 13, she had curiosity to know about God. And she was asking such questions about the Lord in her school. But no one was able to give a proper answer to her.  Mataji would think that if this universe exists and functions properly then there must be a God who is doing all this. When she was 20 years old, she came to London to for studies. In 1971, she was fortunate to meet Hare Krishna devotees. From them she was able to get answer to all her questions about God. She came to know God is blackish in complexion, have curly hairs and he looks very beautiful. Later, she got initiated by Srila Prabhupada. She has taken up many services in Iskcon. She has been doing Book distribution service, cooking service, giving care to the devotees and currently travelling all over the world preaching the message of Krishna Consciousness.

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam Class,  HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP) said that “Everyone is a devotee of Krishna” and those who are not yet devotees of Krishna will eventually become a devotee of Krishna. It is just a matter of time. Mataji was speaking on SB 11.3.36.

SB 11.3.36

naitan mano viśati vāg uta cakṣur ātmā
prāṇendriyāṇi ca yathānalam arciṣaḥ svāḥ
śabdo ’pi bodhaka-niṣedhatayātma-mūlam
arthoktam āha yad-ṛte na niṣedha-siddhiḥ

Translation

“Neither the mind nor the faculties of speech, sight, intelligence, the life air or any of the senses are capable of penetrating that Supreme Truth, any more than small sparks can affect the original fire from which they are generated. Not even the authoritative language of the Vedas can perfectly describe the Supreme Truth, since the Vedas themselves disclaim the possibility that the Truth can be expressed by words. But through indirect reference the Vedic sound does serve as evidence of the Supreme Truth, since without the existence of that Supreme Truth the various restrictions found in the Vedas would have no ultimate purpose.”

Important points from the purport of the verse SB 11.3.36

• The quantity of heat and light in the original fire is always superior to the quantity found in the insignificant sparks.
• The minute living entities, being aṁśaḥ, or sparks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can never equal the Supreme Godhead in the quantity of their potency.
• Because the Personality of Godhead has supreme seeing power, hearing power, touching power, smelling power and tasting power, the living entities in a limited sense can also see, hear, touch, smell and taste, by the mercy of Hṛṣīkeśa. This idea is expressed in the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad (4.4.18)

Below article is based on the class given by HG Surabhi Mataji (ACBSP)

We do not want Krishna to be God

We have to remember that Krishna is always reminding us who we really are.  Just like maya devi is reminding us that we are not the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For example, we are walking on the street and are hit by a stone, and we have black eye then we know we are not God.

Krishna steals butter and dances with the gopis, but if we steal something police will catch us. Krishna steals butter and when mother Yashoda comes he hides, sometimes behind Balarama. When Yashoda comes and asks who did it, he says I did not do so, Balarama did it.  And then he shows his reflection and says he has stolen butter. Krishna begins rubbing his eyes thinking that I will be in trouble.

Mother Yashoda would embrace him and say, “You are the sweetest little child.”  

These are beautiful pastimes of Krishna, and we can’t imitate it. If we do so, we will be in trouble. Only Krishna can do these things. We have chosen to come to this world because we do not want Krishna to be God, we want to be God.

Understand we are not God & give everything to him

Even as devotees we can find that there will be some moment in a day when we think we are God. Krishna says, “If you want to become God, then its ok. You go and try to be what I am.” And so, he makes this world for us. He sends maya devi. And maya devi, put obstacles everywhere to show us that we are not God.

When we come to the point of being totally frustrated with material world, then we understand we are not God, and we surrender to God. And to get to that point, we have to understand that no one is our real friends.

Everyone is a devotee of Krishna. Some know and have become like us. Some have not become devotees of Krishna because they have not got kicks of maya. In this world, maya devi is there to give us kicks. We can’t enjoy here. Even if we try to enjoy, we can’t. Even the richest person can’t enjoy, if he is not Krishna Conscious.

Steve Jobs at Hare Krishna Temple

For example, Steve Jobs became big but later Krishna took everything away from him. Lord took everything through disease. When I see my grandchildren fighting for toys, I ask, “When you were born were you born with toys?” And they say, “No.” I say, “If not then how you can say that this toy belongs to you?”

Steve Jobs came with nothing in this world and later acquired a lot. At the time of death, he said, “When I was young, I had nothing.” He used to walk from one side of New York to another to get a meal at the Hare Krishna mandir. He remembered this at the time of death.

The prasadam he ate once a week at the temple, he was able to carry that memory with him but not the riches he had acquired. And after his death there was also dispute related to his property, there were court cases. So, better to give everything before death else you will have to come again to settle.

So, better give all riches to Krishna.

I do not have home or wealth, so what I will give to my 5 children and 9 grandchildren? Materially nothing. I have given my life to Krishna; I can give it to them. When my children used to be asked what your mother does. They would say she does “Hare Krishna” and they would tell about Govindas. When I am not then Govindas also helps them to remember Krishna. The supreme purpose of life is to help others remember Krishna.

This is what Srila Prabhupada did. He made us all understand that we all are devotee of Krishna.

Prabhupada most successful businessman

In America it is said Srila Prabhupada is most successful businessman. No one came from another country to the USA and did so much. Today there are temples and devotees are distributing thousands of books. Prabhupada is more famous than anyone else. And his legacy is still going on even after he has left this world.

So, never forget Srila Prabhupada. Today only 700 disciples of Prabhupada are left in this world. Almost daily, weekly or monthly one of his disciples are passing away. Devotees say that you speak about Prabhupada, and we feel Prabhupada is here.

Take care of Prabhupada’s disciples

While Prabhupada’s disciples are here I want you to take care of them. Because one day no one will be left.

Once in Mayapur, I had gone and there was no place for us to stay, there was no care for us. So, I decided to do something. I made arrangements so that there is a bus or cab to take them from Kolkata airport to Mayapur temple, there is a place for them to stay, prasadam arrangement is there, they get medicines on time. For this, funds were needed and within one hour I was able to arrange for the funds. Later I informed GBC what I am doing. Now the system has been established to take care of Prabhupada’s disciples.

I can walk for miles, but it is difficult for me to get up once I sit down. And I am just 75 years old. But there are disciples of Prabhupada who are more than 80 years old now. HG Jananivas prabhu is going to be 83 years old. Some do not have a place to live. We should find where every one of them are and should look after them. If they do not have money, then sponsor them. Because when they leave the world, we will miss the opportunity. Don’t wait till only one is left.

Don’t chant & sing Hare Krishna Mahamantra incorrectly

Mataji made everyone say the Hare Krishna Mahamantra the way we say while chanting our rounds. After everyone chanted the Mahamantra.

Mataji made the following observation about pronouncing the Mahamantra incorrectly.   

I observe that devotees, especially while doing kirtan pronounce the word incorrectly. For example, instead of Rama they say Ramo, instead of Krishna they say Krishno.

When once Prabhupada heard “Hare Ramo” then he told to my godbrother HH Vishnujan Swami that who is “Hare Ramo.” Prabhupada further said that this will destroy the movement.

In Brisbane one lady asked me, “Which mantra is correct, the one which I know and chant or the one which is currently going on.” I said the one that you know is correct.  Some say because of Bengali accent, pronunciation is different. But Prabhupada was Bengali, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura was Bengali. So, how did they chant?

This is becoming plague – chanting in an incorrect way.

Think for whom you are chanting

While singing or chanting think for whom you are doing so. If you are not doing correctly then you are doing for yourself.  My name is Surabhi and if someone calls me Surabho, I will not like it.

If you go to the spiritual world and say Krishno or Ramo then Krishna and Balarama will say what they are saying is wrong. They will ask us to go down and learn correctly the Mahamantra and then come back to the spiritual world. So, don’t miss the chance.

In Mayapur, a devotee was singing Ramo. He has millions of followers on you tube. I called him near Prabhupada deity and told him that Ramo is incorrect and since you have millions of followers then everyone will chant incorrectly. He said that I know this is incorrect but since it fits to my tune so I chant Ramo.

Media can be best in distributing Krishna Consciousness and can be enemy also, if we do it in wrong way.

Srila Prabhupada said do not change anything, not even a comma nor a dot and especially not the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Please help me to spread Prabhupada’s movement, we want the whole world to know about Krishna.

Three eternal tendencies of we the living beings | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.35

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.35
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Friday,30^th May 2025
• Speaker: HG Nimai Anand Prabhu

While speaking on SB 11.3.35, HG Nimai Anand Prabhu discussed about the three eternal tendencies of the living beings. He also explained how these tendencies are frustrated in this world and how we can satisfy these three tendencies.

ŚB 11.3.35

śrī-pippalāyana uvāca
sthity-udbhava-pralaya-hetur ahetur asya
yat svapna-jāgara-suṣuptiṣu sad bahiś ca
dehendriyāsu-hṛdayāni caranti yena
sañjīvitāni tad avehi paraṁ Narendra

Śrī Pippalāyana said:  The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of this universe, yet He has no prior cause. He pervades the various states of wakefulness, dreaming and unconscious deep sleep and also exists beyond them. By entering the body of every living being as the Supersoul, He enlivens the body, senses, life airs and mental activities, and thus all the subtle and gross organs of the body begin their functions. My dear King, know that Personality of Godhead to be the Supreme.

Important points from the purport of the verse SB 11.3.35

1. In fact, the material cosmic manifestation continues to exist because of the desires of the conditioned souls to exploit it (yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat).
2. Since Lord Kṛṣṇa is ultimately sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam, the cause of all causes, He is to be known as the ultimate supreme cause.
3. When one transcends an official understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and comes to the superior status of love of God, one can understand the Lord to be Kṛṣṇa, the cause of all causes.

Below article is based on the class given by HG Nimai Anand Prabhu

Krishna is the source of everything

Nimi Maharaja asks about the Lord and answer is given by Śrī Pippalāyana. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in previous sloka talks about Nista, he explains it as strong faith. Here Nimi Maharaja asks questions about the process by which one can develop complete faith and devotion for Lord.

Answer to Nimi Maharaj’s question is being given in this verse. Nimi Maharaja is asking who is that Supreme Lord. And Śrī Pippalāyana is saying that he is Narayana who is the creator, maintainer and destroyer. He is the cause of all causes, but he is beyond cause. And that Supreme Lord is actually Lord Krishna who is the cause of all causes.

Whenever there is any discussion about the Supreme Lord then discussion is about Krishna because he is the Supreme Lord.

Lord Krishna has personal expansion which is called svamsa expansion. And we the jiva tattvas are his vibhinnamsa expansion. And maya is Krishna’s chaya sakti. So, we see that Lord Krishna is the root of everything, cause of all causes.  He is the source of everything.

The three tendencies of the living beings

We the living beings are part and parcel of Krishna, and we have three strong tendencies.

1. Tendency to exist,
2. Tendency to know
3. Tendency to experience happiness

Tendency to exist: Everyone wants to live forever. No one wants to die. People think that even if body dies but they should continue existing in the form of their name, fame and glory.

Tendency of know: We are always curious to know what is happening around us, and in the world.

Tendency to experience happiness: We also look for happiness – ānanda-mayo ‘bhyāsāt.Since as soul our nature is pleasure seeking so we always look for pleasure in all situations.

These three tendencies of living beings are never going to end because it is the constitutional nature of soul. As soul, we are sat (eternal), cit (knowledge) and ananda (happiness).

This natural tendency of the soul can’t be given up or cannot be subdued.

We came here from the spiritual world. This material world is opposite to the spiritual world. This world is temporary and full of ignorance, here there is misery at every step.

Even though, everything is opposite here but still we have strong tendencies to live here forever and enjoy.

But how much hard we try to satisfy our tendency; we always get frustrated here. Let us see why these three tendencies of living beings are not satisfied here and its solution.

How to satisfy these three tendencies

Tendency to live forever

We may try to live here forever but death is everywhere. People try hard to defeat death but always fail.  There are scientists, medical professionals working hard to find cure for various diseases. There are medical equipments, medicines and so on. Some try allopathy, some naturopathy, some ayurveda to have good health but death is going to come for sure.  This body is perishable; it cannot be with us forever.

Our propensity for living is also exploited in this world. We see in medical field how people are cheated. Many times, a person might have already died but are kept on ventilator to earn money.

People also think that let my body go but my name, my glory should remain forever. But how long people will remember us? May be for 100 years, 1000 years or may be for the lifetime of entire Brahma or may be till the time of annihilation which is just one breath of Maha Vishnu. And then no one will remember us. So, the desire for existence is never satisfied in this world.

How we begin living forever

But this desire gets satisfied when we become Krishna Conscious and begin understanding that we are Krishna’s eternal servant. We have always been servant of Krishna since the time of our existence. And this relationship which we have with Krishna can never be taken away. So, we should always be doing service for Krishna. Krishna is eternal and service to Krishna is eternal. This position of ours cannot be taken away even by death.

Desire for ananda

In this world, we get promise for future happiness. Happiness is always in future here. We think that if we do this then we will be happy in future. Example is given of donkey.  

When donkey is reluctant to work then a carrot is hung in front of a donkey called dangling carrot. Donkey moves one step ahead thinking that he will be able to get the carrot, but the carrot also moves one step ahead. And the donkey never gets carrot.

We are told in school, if you pass Class 12 with good result, you will be happy. If you will get into engineering or medical college you will be happy. But once we enter into these colleges there is fear of placement. And after getting job also there is fear of losing the job.  So, where is happiness?

There is only false hope of happiness in this world. There is advertisement also that if you buy this product, you will be happy, and people go for it but never become happy.

Why it happens? It is because we are spiritual, and matter cannot make us happy.

Prabhupada explains spirit and matter are like oil and water which can never mix. And so, matter can’t make us happy.

How we begin experiencing ananda

But this desire for ananda gets fulfilled when we get connected to Krishna. He is the original source and reservoir of all happiness. So, he can easily fulfil our desire for happiness.

In this world when someone does something for us then in return they want something. Many times, they may exploit us also. But Krishna does not want anything from us. He is self-satisfied, atmaram. He just wants to give us.

In Bhagavad Gita 18.66, he says, “you just surrender to me and you will become happy.” We jivas are original part and parcel of Krishna. And our nature is to love Krishna. By doing so we experience happiness.

Desire to know

We all have desire to know.  So, people do research. But no matter how much we try we cannot know everything.  One scientist did research on grass, he published paper, but it did not end research on grass. This research is still going on. Nature is so powerful, we can get completely absorbed in it life after life.

At micro level we can study neutron, proton, electron, quark and so on. At macro lever, we can study planets, galaxies, universe and can get completely absorbed in it. This material world is unlimited and difficult to know it completely. No matter how much we come to know about it, we are not satisfied.

Our desire for knowing is also exploited by social media, you tube channels etc. There we get plenty of information. A person can go on knowing more and more but it will never come to an end. There are newspapers, news channels, social media bombarding us with information and exploiting our desire to know. And everywhere we find the same information. Days after days newspapers have same news. Prabhupada says its like chewing the chewed.

If you want to know then better try to know Krishna. And if we do so then our desire to know is fulfilled. When we know God, we get connected to God. And we cannot know God by mental speculation.

Lord Brahma says that great munis can try to for 100 crore years to know God, but they will at most come to know the light which is emanating from the lotus feet of Krishna.

How to know Krishna

One can understand Krishna only by the mercy of Krishna. And that mercy comes when someone hears about the Lord from the pure devotees of the Lord.

Whatever tendency we have for knowing, we should try to use it to know Krishna. Trying to know this world will frustrate us. But if we know Lord then we know everything.  By sravanam we should fulfil our tendency to know Krishna.

And once we are satisfied by hearing about Krishna then we can share the same knowledge with others. We can then become an instrument of the Lord in sharing his glories and also will become dear to the Lord.

Why do devotees of Krishna not suffer? | Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.23

• Srimad Bhagavatam lecture of Srila Prabhupada at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata
  • Verse Number: SB 3.25.23
  • Lecture date:  Nov 23, 1974
  • Lecture location: Bombay
  • Chapter Name: The Glories of Devotional Service
  • Lecture Link:  https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741123sbbom/
• Day/Date:  Thursday/29^th May 2025

While speaking on SB 3.25.23, Srila Prabhupada explained why devotees of Krishna do not suffer. Even if suffering comes to devotees, he is able to tolerate it and transcend it.

ŚB 3.25.23

mad-āśrayāḥ kathā mṛṣṭāḥ
śṛṇvanti kathayanti ca
tapanti vividhās tāpā
naitān mad-gata-cetasaḥ

Translation

Engaged constantly in chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sādhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My pastimes and activities.

Following are few important points from Srila Prabhupada’s lecture

• If we understand properly that “I am not this body,” then, although there is suffering, you will not feel very much..
• When we shall feel pleasure by hearing about Kṛṣṇa or talking about Kṛṣṇa, we must know that we are making progress on the path of perfection.
• And at that time any kind of this material suffering will not be felt.

Below article is based on the lecture of Srila Prabhupada

State of unhappiness

Sometimes this material world is compared to a prison house where the rebellious souls like us who have gone against the desire of Krishna is kept and punished.

But some compare this material world to a hospital where we the diseased souls are sent to get cured. Our heart which is inflicted by lust, anger and greed needs treatment.

And this material world is also compared to an ocean where we are being tossed up and down by the waves of material miseries.

Now whether it’s a prison, or a hospital or the turbulent waves of the ocean, it’s a state of unhappiness. 

So, the only possible solution is to come out of it. But the choice is left upon us by God. We have to decide if we want to remain stuck in it or want to quickly come out of it.

Now no one wants to suffer but sadly no one knows how not to suffer.  Absorbed in material life people explore material means to ward off suffering and invite pleasure in their life. But it does not work. Why? Because how much happiness a prisoner, a patient or a drowning man can get.  Almost nothing.  So, the scriptures ask us to give up hope of enjoying in this material world. 

But does it mean that here we cannot be happy? If our consciousness is material, then happiness is a distant dream but if our consciousness becomes spiritual then happiness will become our constant companion.

Suffering is directly proportional to our material attachment

For consciousness to become spiritual, we have to bring Krishna in our life. As soon as we transform our consciousness from material to spiritual our miseries cease to exist.  As long as we consider this material world, our material body everything we will suffer.

But as soon as realization dawns in our heart that we are not material beings meant for unlimited sufferings, but spiritual beings meant for unlimited enjoyment, we try best to free ourselves from material consciousness.

We understand we are not this body, but we are soul. This body is an outer covering, and it will disintegrate one day. Just we discard old and torn clothes similarly one day we will have to discard when the body becomes unfit and diseased.

When we understand this that I am not this body, then bodily suffering will not bother us much. When we understand that we are different from the mind then mind will also not trouble us a lot. Most of time suffering is directly proportional to our attachment and absorption in a thing.

For example, if we are too much attached to our car then even a small dent can make us miserable. Similarly, if we are too bodily conscious then any suffering pertaining to body will disturb us a lot. But instead of being thoroughly absorbed in our body if we become absorbed in practicing devotion to Krishna then suffering of this world will not disturb us much.

Being absorbed in chanting & hearing devotees of Krishna do not suffer

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.23 says that a devotee of Krishna does not suffer at all because they are always engaged in hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord. 

“Engaged constantly in chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sādhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My pastimes and activities.” Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.23

Prahlad Maharaj echoes this statement. He says, “I know the formula for being happy.” And the formula is to be always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna.

So, in this material world where suffering is inevitable, we have the opportunity to free ourselves from all sufferings. This becomes possible when we become devotees of Krishna and remain engaged in hearing and chanting about Krishna.

Understanding the personal feature of the Supreme Lord | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.34

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.34
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Wednesday,28^th May 2025
• Speaker: HG Aravind Gopal Prabhu

While speaking on SB 11.3.34, HG Aravind Gopal Prabhu said that if we know the personal feature of the Supreme Lord called Bhagavan then our understanding about the Lord is complete. And this personal feature of the Supreme Lord reciprocates with us giving us great joy which we always look for.

ŚB 11.3.34

śrī-rājovāca
nārāyaṇābhidhānasya
brahmaṇaḥ paramātmanaḥ
niṣṭhām arhatha no vaktuṁ
yūyaṁ hi brahma-vittamāḥ

Translation

“King Nimi inquired: Please explain to me the transcendental situation of the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa, who is Himself the Absolute Truth and the Supersoul of everyone. You can explain this to me, because you are all most expert in transcendental knowledge.”

Important points from the purport of the verse SB 11.3.34

1. …the speculative philosophers become attracted to the impersonal Brahman feature of the Absolute Truth,
2. …whereas the mystic yogīs meditate upon the Paramātmā, the Supersoul within everyone’s heart.
3. ..those who have achieved mature transcendental knowledge surrender directly to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān, who is eternally situated in His own abode, called Vaikuṇṭha-dhāma.
4. In Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṇa clearly says, brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham: “I am the source of the impersonal Brahman.”
5. King Nimi wants the sages to make clear that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original feature of the Absolute Truth

Below article is based on the Srimad Bhagavatam class given by Prabhuji.

Believe in God in India is so fragile

Complete understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so rare. By inconceivable mercy of Prabhupada we have got this understanding. Knowing Lord’s personal feature, Bhagavan, opens the door for love of Godhead.

In India, people although have spiritual conception but their faith keeps on changing. Sometimes they have faith in demigod, sometimes they have impersonal conception. Since faith is fragile, so it does not lead to committed practice. Their faith also keeps on changing. HG Gauranga Prabhu tells a story.

Sadhu in a village

Once the head of a village arranged a spiritual program. He called a renowned sadhu. People were invited and stage was setup for the event. The sadhu came.  

His first question to the audience was, “How many of you believe in God?”  Everyone raised their hand saying that they all believe in God. The sadhu said, “I had come here to give you all faith. Since you all already believe in God, so there is no use of mine here.” Saying this, the sadhu left.  People were upset. Organisers were frustrated as the event got cancelled.

The organizers again arranged for program and again the same sadhu was invited. This time the organizers told the people that if sadhu asks how many of you believe in God then do not say yes. So, this time when the sadhu came and asked the same question, no one raised hand. Sadhu said, “As no one of you believe in God, so that is the use of me saying you about God.” Saying this, he left. Again, everyone was upset.

Later, the organizers again arranged for the program and invited the same sadhu because he was quite famous. This time the organizers said that when the sadhu asks the same question then half of those sitting on the right side raise your hand saying yes and half of you on the left side do not raise your hand.  So, the third time when the sadhu asked the same question then those sitting on right side raised hand and on the left did not.

The sadhu said, “Since half you know about God and half not, so those on the right can explain to those on the left about God.” And he left the venue.

Great seekers too fail to understand Lord’s personal feature

This story conveys the message that how people’s faith is fragile and keeps on changing from time to time. Sometimes they say Krishna is Supreme, sometimes Shiva, sometimes Durga and sometimes they make some human as God. So, the faith is shaky.

Because of not having clear understanding, people develop understanding about God based on what they have heard from their elders, guru or from anyone. And if you go little deeper, you will see that most of them have impersonal aspect about God. They will say that goal of life is to merge into Brahman. And this they call as moksa.

Even great seekers are also bewildered.

Prabhupada explains how Supreme Lord is personal

We read in Journey Home book of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja that to search the Absolute truth, he goes to many countries before coming to India. In India, he meets many sadhus, stays at their ashram, listens from them. He goes to Vrindavan and there too he listens to many sadhus.

But “who is god” this understanding is not clear. Some say God is only personal, some say he is impersonal. But they too are not completely convinced.

In the book Maharaj says that “For sometime, I was troubled with the thought that whether God is personal or impersonal. Some say, he is personal, but he takes avatar and takes material form. And later they merge into impersonal. According to them personal manifests from impersonal. On the other hand, I have heard that God is supreme, and he has spiritual form full of knowledge and bliss. So, how can both be correct?”

Then Srila Prabhupada comes into the life of Maharaja. So, once when one guest asks Prabhupada that God is personal or impersonal then Prabhupada very nicely explains.

Quoting from the Vedas, Prabhupada said that Supreme Personality of Godhead is both personal and impersonal. Personal aspect of the Lord is called Bhagavan and impersonal is called Brahman. Just like sun and rays of the sun are non-different but are also different. Similarly, personal feature of the Supreme Lord i.e. Bhagavan and Brahman are different but also same.

Just as sun is the source of the sun rays, similarly, Bhagavan is the source of Brahman. One knows Bhagavan knows the Lord completely.  We the jivas or souls are also part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, just like sun rays are part and parcel of the sun. We are qualitatively same as the Lord but quantitively different.

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja’s doubt is cleared

Maharaj writes in the book, Journey Home, that when he heard this explanation of Prabhupada then tears swelled in his eyes. His heart was full of joy because today his doubt completely got cleared that whether Lord is personal or impersonal.  

Now we know Supreme Lord is personal  

When we know Personal (Bhagavan) feature of the Supreme Lord, then our understanding is complete. Personal feature of the Supreme Lord has loving reciprocation with the jivas. But this understanding is so rare.

By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we have this conception since beginning of our spiritual life. Here (Iskcon) we are getting higher conception of the Lord by the grace of Prabhupada and his disciples.

And by their grace, today, we also know the process by which we can attain the love of Godhead. We should be eternally grateful to them. This is called causeless mercy.

This is what Nimi Maharaja is aspiring for. So, he is asking this question.

Once we understand that God is Personal, then one begins experiencing the loving reciprocation from him which one always looks for.

The most important need of all jivas

In Brihadaranyaka Upanishad one question is raised, “What is the fundamental need of all living entities? And if that need is fulfilled then living entity is completely satisfied even if other needs are not satisfied. And if that need is not fulfilled then even if all the needs are fulfilled then there is no satisfaction.”

The answer is given is, “That fundamental need is not one but are two – it is to love and to be loved.”

In this world, we are all seeking this love. But unfortunately, we try to get it through material means. When this need is not fulfilled, we try to fulfil it through sense gratification.

Sense gratification gives flickering happiness.  People look for love in sex but that also does not satisfy. A man thinks that woman can give love and vice versa. But it does not work. But a man or woman is limited so they cannot fulfil our need of unlimited love. We have experience of unlimited love and that cannot be fulfilled by any living entity who are infinitesimal. Since, our love is not fulfilled, we feel cheated.

Eventually, when the need of love is not fulfilled, people go towards impersonal conception.  He begins thinking that if absolute truth is personal then need of love will not be fulfilled.

The Personal Lord, Krishna, personally reciprocates with each one of us

But the vaisnav understanding is different. Lord is a personal and is unlimited, so he can reciprocate with everyone, he can have relationship with everyone, he is there for everyone, and he can fulfil the need of love of everyone.

In practical life we see, if a counsellor is giving attention to some counselee and not to other then the other counselees feel empty.  That attention to everyone can only be given by Krishna.

So, in the forward of the Krishna book, George Harrison, the famous Beatle writes, “Everyone is looking for Krishna, some know, some does not know.”

And Krishna is also looking for us. Since we are here, so Krishna is missing that rasa which he had with us, so he wants us back home Back to Godhead.

When this understanding comes that Krishna is personal and we have an eternal relationship with him then good fortune begins.

Till the time we have faith that people can give shelter; we won’t experience ultimate shelter of Krishna.

We should understand that Krishna is personally reciprocating with us in our life. So, we should be always grateful to Krishna.

More than us Krishna is eager to take us back home. This is the reason that he comes personally, he performs pastimes and even sends his pure devotees like Srila Prabhupada.

Faith in Krishna frees us from all fear | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.33

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.33
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Tuesday,27^th May 2025
• Speaker: HG Mukund Kirtan Prabhu

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam class, HG Mukund Kirtan Prabhu said that if we have faith in Krishna then we will be free from all fear. Also, devotees should have complete in Krishna’s protection. Prabhuji was speaking on the verse SB 11.3.33.

ŚB 11.3.33

iti bhāgavatān dharmān
śikṣan bhaktyā tad-utthayā
nārāyaṇa-paro māyām
añjas tarati dustarām

Translation

“Thus learning the science of devotional service and practically engaging in the devotional service of the Lord, the devotee comes to the stage of love of Godhead. And by complete devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, the devotee easily crosses over the illusory energy, māyā, which is extremely difficult to cross.”

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.33

1. One should not approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead for liberation, since one is automatically liberated by obeying the order of the Lord.
2. Kṛṣṇa’s order is given at the end of Bhagavad-gītā: sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja. 
3. Actual happiness comes from loving God without any tinge of mental speculation or fruitive desire.

Below article is based on the Srimad Bhagavatam class given by HG Mukund Kirtan Prabhu.

After Krishna fulfils his mission

In 10^th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, the topic of ashray is discussed. Now in this 11^th canto, liberation is being discussed. In this 11^th canto, in the last two chapters, how Yadu dynasty and Krishna disappears is discussed.

Chapter 1 of this canto discusses, why Yadu dynasty disappears. Krishna stayed in Vrindavan for around 11 years and then he went to Mathura and then to Dwarka. In Dwarka he stayed for more than 100 years.  Why Krishna appears in this world is answered by Krishna himself in Bhagavad Gita – paritranayam..

Krishna thinks that the purpose for which he came here is now fulfilled. He killed many demons in Vrindavan, and then many demoniac rules were killed by him through Pandavas. So, Krishna thinks that since his purpose of appearing in this world is now fulfilled so he should now leave from here.

And he then thinks that the Yadus have also become a burden. They were very large in numbers. For example, Krishna had 16,108 wives. And each wife had 10 children. Then these children had their own children.

And similarly other members of the Yadus had many children and grandchildren.  In Dwarka, there were 38 million teachers to teach Yadu children. From this we can understand how big the Yadu dynasty was.

Krishna plans to disappear with Yadu dynasty

Jiva Goswami explains that the Yadus loved Lord. So, when Lord would have disappeared from the earth planet then Yadus would have not been able to tolerate it. Overwhelmed by emotion and in separation from Krishna, they would have destroyed the whole world.

So, Yadus were “Burden of love.”

So, there are external reasons for their disappearance like the sages cursed them, Gandhari cursed Krishna and so on. But the internal reason is actually different.

When Krishna was to appear in this world, then he had come with his associates, and he had also instructed some demigods also to appear. So, when Krishna had to go back to his kingdom, then his personal associates had to return with him to the spiritual abode and the demigods had to be reinstated to their positions in the heavenly kingdoms.

In Dwarka, we see that Samba makes fun of the sages and in turn gets cursed. So, Parikshit Maharaj asks how sages can curse the Yadus. This happens because the Lord want us to teach that we should not misbehave with the vaisnavas.  

Narada Muni answers to Vasudeva

Now later we see in this canto, that Vasudeva ask questions to Narada Muni. Narada Muni had great love for Vasudeva, so he was happy when Vasudev asks questions from him. To answer him, Narada Muni speaks about the conversation between nava yogendriyas and Nimi Maharaja. Nimi Maharaj asks nine questions and each Yogendriyas answers each question.

Four questions of Nimi Maharaja and the answer

Till today’s verse of this canto, following four questions have been discussed.

Q1. What is Bhagavat Dharma i.e. what is the ultimate good for people?

Answer is given that Bhagavad Bhakti does ultimate good to the people. We see, same question was asked in first canto also. It is explained that Bhakti is so pure that if one practices it even by closing his eyes, he will reach the ultimate destination.

Bhakti should be performed by – kaya, manasa and vacah – body, mind and words.

We are always fearful in this world. And the root cause of fear is our misidentification. Bhakti uproots that misidentification, and it can completely satisfy the soul.

Q2. Second question is about the qualities of the devotee’s doing bhakti. Like, what they do, their nature, their symptoms and so on. 

Its answer is given by the yogendriya – Havi. He explains that the devotees are of three types – uttama, madhyam, kanista.

• Uttama Adhikari devotees make no discrimination, considers everyone devotee.
• Madhyam Adhikari has prema (love) for the Lord, matri (friendship) with the devotees, shows kripa (mercy) to the ignorant and innocent, upeksha to the envious.
• Kanista Adhikari, sees the Lord in the temple but does not deal properly with the devotees.

Q3. Third question is about the activities of maya?

It is explained how Lord creates samsara and destroys it. How paramatma is there within the heart of everyone. It further explains that we suffer because of material desires.

Since we are addicted to material desires, so lord sanctions it and facilitates it.

Q4. Fourth question is how to overcome maya?

In answer to this question, it is explained that there is no happiness in this material world. Money is not the source of happiness. 

In this section, it talks about the necessity of approaching a bonafide guru and inquiring from him about the highest truth. Then it further talks about the vaisnava qualities.

Faith in Krishna’s protection

We see that in answer to all the questions, the importance of having faith in Krishna and taking his shelter is emphasised.

Jivas like us are suffering because we are still not convinced that Lord is our ultimate protector and maintainer. We have more faith on our mind, intelligence and we think that we can protect ourselves.

Fear is because of absence of faith just like darkness is because of absence of light.

We see that great devotees had always great faith in Lord. In case of any situation, they always took shelter of the Lord. We have the example of Uttara, Kunti, brajvasi, Pandavas.

We see Krishna’s cowherd friends in Vrindavan were not traumatized in front of the demons also because they had complete faith in Krishna. If we observe, we will see that Krishna is always protecting us. He is our topmost well-wisher.

We should think that we belong to Krishna, if we do not have that feeling then we will look someone else for shelter. We should have gratitude for what Krishna has done for us and should have complete faith in him.

Mercy of the guru can only give us Krishna | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.32

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.32
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Monday,26^th May 2025
• Speaker: HG Anand Vardhan Prabhu

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam class, HG Anand Vardhan Prabhu spoke about the necessity of seeking mercy of the guru and said that “only mercy of the guru can help us attain Krishna.” Prabhuji spoke on the verse SB 11.3.32.

SB 11.3.32

kvacid rudanty acyuta-cintayā kvacid
dhasanti nandanti vadanty alaukikāḥ
nṛtyanti gāyanty anuśīlayanty ajaṁ
bhavanti tūṣṇīṁ param etya nirvṛtāḥ

Translation

“Having achieved love of Godhead, the devotees sometimes weep loudly, absorbed in thought of the infallible Lord. Sometimes they laugh, feel great pleasure, speak out loud to the Lord, dance or sing. Such devotees, having transcended material, conditioned life, sometimes imitate the unborn Supreme by acting out His pastimes. And sometimes, achieving His personal audience, they remain peaceful and silent.”

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.32

1. When all of the devotee’s senses are absorbed in Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the devotee has successfully transcended the material condition of life. 
2. “One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.” Bhagavad-gītā (14.26):
3. One should give up the mentality of envy and false prestige and humbly take shelter of the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
4. There is absolutely no doubt that a sincere soul who serves a bona fide spiritual master will achieve the highest perfection of life (śreya uttamam).
5. He will enjoy eternal bliss and knowledge in the personal abode of the Lord.

Below article is based on the class given by HG Anand Vardhan Prabhu

Devotees faith in Prabhupada gave them Krishna

A disciple should have full faith in the words of his guru. And if he does so, then it does not matter whether he is qualified or not, the conclusion of the scriptures will manifest in his heart.

Srila Prabhupada gave examples of his disciples. These disciples from the west had no knowledge about bhakti, they had not even heard the name of Krishna before. So, Srila Prabhupada would explain them in simple way who Krishna is.

Prabhupada would say that Krishna is the Supreme Lord who would steal butter from the house of the gopis.

But eventually these disciples developed devotion for Krishna and began practicing devotion in a dedicated way.  So, what guru says we should have faith.

When Srila Prabhupada went to USA then from external perspective he did not have anything. He was on a historical journey. The movement which Prabhupada started transformed the lives of millions. It has changed the history of the world.

When we embark on any journey, then we want people to accompany us, but Prabhupada went alone. When devotees travel then many times they suffer because of motion sickness.

Prabhupada’s faith in his guru

Prabhupada went to west to preach at an advanced age. And during the journey he had sea sickness. When he reached there, he did not even know whether he has to go left or right.

For a year he had to struggle a lot in USA. In USA, when a person sitting beside him asked him what his movement is all about then Prabhupada said that he has many centres, many temples, many disciples and so on. And at that time, he did not have anything. But Prabhupada had faith in the words of his guru.

He knew that these all things are going to manifest. And this desire was coming directly from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu had predicted that in all the towns and villages of the earth, Krishna’s name will be chanted. Some people thought that earth means only India.

Srila Prabhupada’s God brothers said that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had given same instructions to other disciples also. Some of them went to west to preach but seeing the lifestyle of the westerners they thought that they should also change their way of living so that they will be accepted by the western audience.

But Prabhupada did not change anything. Many people were there but Prabhupada was successful because he had faith in the holy name. He had faith in the words of his guru.

Bhakti is path of grace. Just by studying scriptures, we won’t get realisation. We need mercy of the guru.

Use your senses to get liberated from maya | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.31

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.31
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Sunday,25^th May 2025
• Speaker: HG Ashok Krishna Prabhu

In the Srimad Bhagavatam class HG Ashok Krishna Prabhu was saying that we should use our senses to get liberated from the clutches of maya. If we fail to do so, we will continue to suffer in this world. Prabhuji was speaking on the verse SB 11.3.31.

SB 11.3.31

smarantaḥ smārayantaś ca
mitho ’ghaugha-haraṁ harim
bhaktyā sañjātayā bhaktyā
bibhraty utpulakāṁ tanum

Translation

“The devotees of the Lord constantly discuss the glories of the Personality of Godhead among themselves. Thus, they constantly remember the Lord and remind one another of His qualities and pastimes. In this way, by their devotion to the principles of bhakti-yoga, the devotees please the Personality of Godhead, who takes away from them everything inauspicious. Being purified of all impediments, the devotees awaken to pure love of Godhead, and thus, even within this world, their spiritualized bodies exhibit symptoms of transcendental ecstasy, such as standing of the bodily hairs on end.”

Important points from the purport of SB 11.3.31

1. ..by neglecting his eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, he commits sinful activities and undergoes the inauspicious result
2. Kṛṣṇa is aghaugha-haraṁ harim; He takes away the sinful reactions of His devotees
3. …a liberated soul is always enthusiastic due to the appearance of transcendental ecstasy within his body

Understanding Maya

All jivas want freedom from maya but we are unfortunate bound by maya, and it is very difficult to overcome from maya’s clutches. In the previous chapters of this canto, we read that how Vasudev did yagna for getting a child.

But later he repented that I did not pray to the Lord for liberation. So, once when sage Narada came then he said that I did not do anything for mukti, pleased guide me. Then Narada Muni told him the conversation which Maharaj Nimi had with the none yogendriya.

Maharaj Nimi asked 9 questions from the nine yogendriyas and each answered one question. In this chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam, 4 questions are asked and their answers given.

The 4 questions in 3rd chapter

Following are the four questions asked in this chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam.

1. What is the nature of maya?
2. How to get freedom from maya?
3. What is the position of Narayana?
4. What is the process of karma yoga?

Till 31^st sloka of this chapter, we get answer to first two questions. Thess questions touches everyone’s heart.

Maya is very strong. She has defeated even big yogis.

Unfortunately, we do not think that we are conditioned souls bound by maya and so we try to enjoy here. And while trying to enjoy, we get caught. First, we should understand we are bound.

For example, unless we understand that we are sick, we will not go to a doctor for treatment. Sometimes a person may be admitted to a hospital, he is suffering terribly, but when you ask him, how are you? he will say, “I am fine.” How can one be fine in such a situation? Similarly, how can we be happy if we are bound by maya in this world.

Who is maya? She is Lord’s servant. Lord has posted her so that she can assist the Lord in taking care of this material world from maintenance to annihilation. Just like you have a vehicle, and you employ a driver to drive your vehicle. So maya is like that. Lord has bound us through maya. The Supreme Lord is the cause of all causes – sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam.

We have freedom to use our senses as we like

While creating this universe, the Lord created first 5 elements – earth, water, fire, air, ether. Then he creates 8.4 million species of life. So, jivas like us get created. We get body and the senses. And then in this world there is three modes of material nature – mode of goodness, mode of passion and mode of ignorance. 

The Lord gave two options to the jivas – use your senses for sense gratification or use it to get liberated from this material world. So, Lord has gives us independence. We have to decide how to use our senses.

For example, a knife can be used for killing a person and same knife can be used by a doctor for curing a person. But sadly, jivas start using senses for enjoying in this world. They forget that they are soul. They consider their body everything and begin working in this world with a desire to get something.

It’s like a business, whatever we do we want something in return. In this way the jivas get entangled. And the repeated cycle of birth and death continues – punarapi jananam punarapi maranam. We work, we suffer, we die, we get new birth and again we work, we suffer, we die, we get new birth, and it continues.

The cycle of janma mrityu, jara, vyadhi goes on. Even birth is so painful, children suffer in the womb of the mother for 9 months. Since the beginning of the creation till its annihilation, its only suffering.

So, we should try to end the suffering by using our senses in the service of the Lord and get liberated from the clutches of maya. If we do so, we will always be happy.

Become dear to near devotees | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.30

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.30
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Saturday,24^th May 2025
• Speaker: HG Sri Nitai Prabhu

“Become dear to near devotees.” This was the topic of today’s Srimad Bhagavatam class given by HG Sri Nitai Prabhu. Prabhuji spoke on SB 11.3.30.

ŚB 11.3.30

parasparānukathanaṁ
pāvanaṁ bhagavad-yaśaḥ
mitho ratir mithas tuṣṭir
nivṛttir mitha ātmanaḥ

Translation

“One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction. And by thus encouraging one another they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.”

Below article is based on the class given by prabhuji.

Two story about association

1. The fish eating couple

One couple was living in a city. They were very fond of eating fish. In fact, their life was devoted to eating fish. It was as if they could not survive without eating fish. Unfortunately, the place where they were staying did not have a big fish market. And because of this, they were not able to get different varieties of fish.

Once they heard that many kilometres away a big fish market is going to open. And this couple was so obsessed with eating fish, that they sold their house where they were staying and purchased a new house near that big fish market.

Now they were getting varieties of fish.  They were so happy. Not just they, but even the people selling fish were happy with them because they were their loyal customer.

The good fortune

But fortunately, or unfortunately, this fish market was near an Iskcon temple. And this devotee couple one fine evening was walking down and they met some Iskcon devotees. It was the month of Kartik. Devotees asked them to offer diya to Lord Damodara. They liked the experience very much. The couple also liked the association of the devotees.

They began coming regularly to offer lamp to Lord Damodara. They even began chanting the names of Krishna. And because of taking to spiritual life, they gave up eating fish. The fish seller now no longer saw them in the market. 

One of the big fish sellers was so disturbed that he came to Iskcon temple to complain. He saw that the couple has become a devotee.  He went to the office of the temple President and started saying that you are spoiling our business. 

This is how people get transformed by associating with devotees.

2. Searching a pure devotee in Mayapur

In Mayapur, few years back, I found a devotee who was from the same temple. He was carrying a book of Srila Rupa Goswami. And he told me that I am in Mayapur to search a pure devotee.

We see that sometimes, in the course of searching a pure devotee we fail to associate with near devotee.

We see two things here – One devotee is transformed from the association of devotee and other devotee from the same temple is not happy with the association and is searching for a pure devotee.  

The saying goes that familiarity breeds contempt. Sometimes devotees staying close to us might be transforming the whole world but since we are staying close to them, we see his human aspect and we take him for granted.

We forget to associate with such devotees and look for pure devotees.

It is important to understand the glory of the near devotee with whom we are staying.

Three principles of association

Let us reflect upon three principles to understand the importance of associating with near devotees.

1st principle –  In search of pure devotees we should not fail to associate with near devotees

Let us understand this principle from the life of Prataprudra Maharaja.

Prataprudra Maharaj was the king of Orissa. He was very pious and was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. In his patronage, service of Lord Jagannath increased. He had such a big heart that he made all his childhood friends like Ramananda Ray, Gopinath Patnayaka and sons of Bhavananda Ray, kings of different regions.

When Lord Chaitanya came, Prataprudra Maharaja understood that he is the Supreme Lord. He wanted audience of Lord Chaitanya. When Lord Chaitanya heard this, he rejected the proposal. The Lord said, “It is better for me to take poison then associate with a king.” Devotees said he is a devotee king. But Lord Chaitanya said the word “king” is associated with it. Even one drop of poison can spoil the whole milk, similarly since he is a king he has become contaminated and if I associate I too will be contaminated.

Hearing this was painful to Maharaja Prataprudra. He wanted to leave the kingdom, but devotees convinced him to remain the king. He was a powerful king. During his regime Mughals could not enter Orissa. Devotees also wanted him to get the audience of the Lord.

Maharaja Prataprudra wins the heart of Lord Chaitanya

By that time Lord Chaitanya had gone for South India yatra and there he met Ramananda Ray. After meeting Lord Chaitanya Ramananda Ray was determined to give up his position of governor. He first went to Cuttack and gave his resignation letter to Maharaja Prataprudra and then came to Jagannath Puri.  

Ramananda Ray informed to Lord Chaitanya that he has resigned from his post. He told to the Lord that when I told the king of my desire to serve you then the king allowed. He even said that you can continue getting the salary so that you do not have to worry about maintaining your family and you can serve the Lord without any worry.

The king further said that I am a useless person, I am not getting opportunity to have darshan of the Lord but you are getting the opportunity to serve the Lord. By allowing me to serve you, king thought that he is serving you.

Hearing this Lord Chaitanya said, “O Ramananda Ray, you are greatest among the devotees and since the king gave mercy to you, soon he will receive mercy of the Lord.”

Here we see that the king did not think that I am a king and Ramananda Ray is my subordinate. And I am a better devotee of Lord Jagannath. He did not become envious of Ramananda Ray. By serving Ramananda Ray, Maharaja Prataprudra, became qualified to get mercy of Lord Chaitanya. He also became dear to all the devotees.

2^nd principle – Near devotees have been sent by Lord to make us pure devotees

In this verse it is mentioned, “As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction. And by thus encouraging one another they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.”

When one comes in the association of devotees and chant, sing and glorify the Lord then one gets transformed.

Staying close to devotee helps us – as they encourage one another to give up sense gratification. When we are struggling together then it becomes easy to give up things which is harming our spiritual life. By staying with devotees, we get hope.

Also, when we preach and see how people have given up sense gratification and have begun leading pure life then we also get inspired to lead pure life.  

We should try to always meditate on the good qualities of near devotees.

3^rd principle – Become dear to near devotees

It is the near devotee who will be us when we are passing away from this world. They will chant the name of Krishna for us. Also devotees will remember our good qualities.

Once when a devotee passed away in Mayapura then when I asked one of the devotees to tell something about the departed devotee, then while speaking about him, the devotee did not say that how big preacher he was, how many books he distributed but said that how nicely he was dealing with all the devotees and how he was dear to all.

We should also live in such a way that we are remembered for our good qualities. If we are good with other devotees then we will become dear to our near devotees.