Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Krishna’s devotees love Krishna katha not gramya katha (mundane gossip)

Subject matter about Krishna is Krishna katha and any other topic which is not related to Krishna is gramya katha.  Devotees of Krishna love Krishna katha not gramya katha.

Today we were listening to Srila Prabhupada’s lecture in the temple (Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata) and this is what Srila Prabhupada was explaining.

In the lecture Srila Prabhupada was saying emphatically that we all waste so much time in reading newspapers. This lecture was given by Srila Prabhupada in 1972 and today we are in 2025. In 1972 there was only print newspapers but now we have so many options. There is 24 hours TV and then we have internet from where we consume so much news. And we all have the experience that how much time we spend reading news.

Yes, it is true that we should be aware of what is going around us and for that at the most I think 15 – 20 minutes of news is sufficient. Most of the time, it is the same news which is repeated again and again and we just to kill our time keep hearing it or reading it again and again.

Just pick one week old newspaper and compare it with today’s news. You will hardly find much has changed. Some of the characters of the news may change but the news almost remains the same.

Many times, we also get obsessed with Bollywood news or news about movie actors, TV actors, singers, sports person and so on. We start taking interest in their personal lives like with whom he or she is meeting, dating, marrying and so on.  What are we going to get by reading such news?  It is just a wastage of time.

Develop taste in Krishna Katha

Instead of that we should take out time in reading those literatures which will help us to uplift our life.  We will benefit a lot if we read spiritual subject matters. Great personalities, like Ved Vyasa, Valmiki Muni, Srila Prabhupada has written volumes of literatures for you and me, so that we can absorb ourselves in reading these transcendental literatures.

When we read these holy books then we connect to the Supreme Lord. And this helps us to cleanse our hearts of impurities which becomes the cause of our great misfortune.

These words of God compiled by the devotees of God helps us to develop intelligence by which we can free ourselves from all the sufferings. When we read the pastimes of the Lord given in these books then it brings joy to our heart. But when we read about politicians lives or movie actors or actresses life then it agitates our heart and we do not feel any happiness also.

Srila Prabhupada says, “Fortunately, in our Society there is no newspaper…But you’ll find that these boys, these Americans boys who have come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they have kicked out newspaper. No more newspaper. Because there is no kṛṣṇa-kathā, they don’t like to read it.” Srila Prabhupada, Lecture: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.12, Nov. 12, 1974, Bombay

Once we develop taste in Krishna katha, we will automatically lose taste in reading subject matters which are not related to Krishna. Just like if one gets fresh natural mango juice to drink daily then why will he drink any carbonated drink which is harmful for health?

Few qualities of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

(Chaitanya Charitamrita Class by HH Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami Maharaja)

On 15^th March 2025, a day after Gaura Purnima festival, HH Bhakti Vighna Vinasak Narasimha Swami Maharaj discussed few of the qualities of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Maharaj gave Chaitanya Charitamrita Class in the morning and spoke about the wonderful qualities of Mahaprabhu which attracts the heart of everyone.  He spoke on the verse Chaitanya Charitamrita 1.3.49.

suvarṇa-varṇo hemāṅgo
varāṅgaś candanāṅgadī
sannyāsa-kṛc chamaḥ śānto
niṣṭhā–śānti-parāyaṇaḥ

“In His early pastimes He appears as a householder with a golden complexion. His limbs are beautiful, and His body, smeared with the pulp of sandalwood, seems like molten gold. In His later pastimes He accepts the sannyāsa order, and He is equipoised and peaceful. He is the highest abode of peace and devotion, for He silences the impersonalist nondevotees.”

Below is what Maharaj said in his lecture

Today is Jagannath Misra festival. Just like Vasudeva wanted to give charity when Krishna was born, similarly Jagannath Misra gave charity. Although in prison, Vasudev gave 10,000 cows in charity mentally. Similarly, Saci Mata has delivered another son. So, they invited brahmanas, gave charity and had a feast.

This verse (CC 1.3.49) appears 3 times in Chaitanya Charitamrita.

Who can be God?

When we establish a person as an incarnation, we do not do it just by vote. One can canvas to become God but that is not the way to establish incarnation of God.

We need references from scriptures to explain their activities. Like there are references to Lord Buddha, Lord Kalki in the scriptures.  

Similarly, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was predicted in the scriptures. There is a very important verse from Mahabharat from Visnu sahastra nama describing activities of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Another verse is in 11^th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam which establishes Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as the Supreme Lord.

Mahaprabhu’s colour & exquisite beauty

This verse (CC 1.3.49) talks about his (Supreme Lord) colour which is Suvarna which means gold.

There was a king who was attached to gold, His name was Suvarna Sena, but Narada Muni preached to him, and he became a devotee. He later became Buddhimanta Khan and he paid for the marriage for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (with Vishnupriya).

Also Radharani has golden colour – tapta kanchana gaurangi radhe vrindavaneshvari vrishabhanu sute devi pranamamai hari priye.

vara–aṅgaḥ means, he is having the most beautiful body. Lord Rama came with bow and arrow; Krishna’s weapon was Sudarshan cakra and sometimes club. But Lord Chaitanya’s weapon was his beauty. His attractive feature captured people’s mind. Everyone who saw him asked who is this personality who is so wonderful! Lord Chaitanya’s exquisite beauty is the weapon to defeat the minds of the materialistic people. In Kali yuga he does not kill demons but changes their heart.

candana–aṅgadī: Lord Chaitanya’s body was smeared with sandalwood. This is the nature of Supreme Lord. Even Srila Prabhupada liked candan and wanted it even in cold weather.

We may say Lord Chaitanya’s beauty is relative. He may be attractive to someone and not to others. But he is the Supreme Lord, he is attractive to everyone. There is no question of people not liking him.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s taking sannyasa is interesting

In his first part of life, he appears as householder.

He was in this world for 48 years. For 24 years he was with family – mother, father and wife.

But he does not remain in household life forever.  Vedic culture is like that. If you live 100 years, then half of life means 50 years, and the scriptures say from the age of 50 you should go to the forest, retire from family life. Today we cannot retire to forest, but we can go to the temple.

There are many people in middle east who earn enough and retire and get engaged in full time temple service. In this way they are preparing for next life. Vedic culture is like that. You may be a householder, but you should move on and prepare for next life. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed this by his own example. At the age of 24 years, he left home and never came back.

His initiation is interesting. He went to Keshav Bharti because he understood that although in line of Shankaracharya, he was a Vaishnava. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to Keshav Bharti for initiation but before Keshav Bharti initiates Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord first initiates him. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Supreme Personality of Godhead; he does not need initiation. But for social etiquette he took sannyasa initiation.  Chaitanya Mahaprabhu first said the mantra to Keshav Bharti and Keshav Bharti repeats the same mantra to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for sannyasa.

Lord Chaitanya accepts sannyasa order. But sometimes people taking sannyasa becomes agitated because after taking sannyasa one has to give up many things.

Srila Prabhupada said sannyasa means walking dead man. There is no more material responsibility, its pain taking experience.

Srila Prabhupada after taking sannyasa faced so many difficulties but remained steady.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is equipoised and peaceful. In the renounced order of life, you want to be equipoised and peaceful. You do not want to feel that I have given up sense gratification, sometimes people regret after taking sannyasa.

If you do not have right mood, then sannyasa danda becomes danda for beating.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the highest abode of peace and devotion. Srila Prabhupada writes here that nista means rigidly chanting the holy names of Krishna.

Nista comes after anartha nivritii. It’s quite an advanced stage to be at nista. Nista means to be fixed in chanting the names of Krishna and talking only about Krishna.

Mahaprabhu in Benares

In Benares Chaitanya Mahaprabhu met Prakashnanda Saraswati who was in the line of Shankara. Benares is not a good place for Vaishnavas yet.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had gone there because there was Tapan Misra & Chandrashekhar.

Tapan Misra had asked from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu how to attain goal of life and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had asked him to go to Benares.

In Benares Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not associate with any mayavadi sanyasis. He would go and do sankirtan daily, all alone.

Mahaprabhu loves sankirtan

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would attract others by beautifully singing the names of Krishna like in Jharikhanda forest he was chanting – Krishna, Krishna, Krishna. All the wild animals became gentle by hearing Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Even ferocious animal like tiger became gentle.

Two lines are favourite of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the hari haraye namah krishna yadavaya namah song.  In fact, the first two lines are from Mahaprabhu. Later Narottama Das Thakura added more to this song.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would sing many other songs in the association of Swarup Damodar.

When Maharaj Prataprudra sang gopi geet –  tava kathāmṛtaḿ tapta-jīvanaḿ kavibhir īḍitaḿ kalmaṣāpaham śravaṇa-mańgalaḿ śrīmad ātataḿ. – Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in ecstasy.

When he came to Govardhan, he sang song sung by gopis..

In temple in Simhachalam, there is deity of Lord Narasimhadev. This deity is covered by sandalwood throughout the year except on the day of Akshay Tritiya when they remove sandalwood. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went there and sang – Ugram Viram Maha Vishnum.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu likes to do sankirtan, chant holy names.

Nilambhara Chakravarti came and saw the child and said that there are 32 auspicious characters on different parts of the body like on palm, sole of feet, some are broad, some are long, some are short. So, we can understand clearly who is the Lord – by his characteristic and also there was markings on the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Also, at the time of his birth, there were no dosas.

What Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked Ramananda Ray?

He silences the non-devotees. When he met Ramananda Ray, he asks for verses in scriptures about perfection of life.

Ramananda Ray first talks about Varnashrama but Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that is external. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is preaching pure devotion. Performing duties of particular ashram like brahmachari, grihastha, vanaprastha, sannyasi is fine. Also, it’s not a dress which makes one a sannyasi, so many other duties are required. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said go on.

And Ramananda Ray said offering foods to the Lord. There is a verse in Bhagavad Gita 9.27 – yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi/ yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat. But Mahaprabhu said not exactly because to whom we are offering to Shiva, Ganesh etc? It’s very open whom to offer.

And then Ramananda Ray quotes Bhagavad Gita 18.66. But Lord Chaitanya said keep going because for surrender people have different reasons, there intention may not be good.

Like one man in Hong Kong said I want sannyasa because he said he is facing difficulties in family life. He had a wife and 4 children. But Srila Prabhupada did not agree.

Ramananda Raya quoted jnana misra bhakti – Lord Chaitanya was not satisfied.

Ramananda Ray then quoted from Srimad Bhagavatam the verse spoken by Lord Brahma – jnāne prayāsam – then Mahaprabhu said this is devotion because Lord Chaitanya wants to preach pure devotion.  Rupa Goswami also describes devotion as anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ.

“One should hear about Krishna from Krishna’s pure devotees in whatever position u r in.”

As we cannot know Krishna completely, similarly, we cannot completely understand Srimad Bhagavatam. Lord Chaitanya told this to Devananda Pandit.

Why Mahaprabhu associated with Gadadhara Pandit?

Mahaprabhu associated with Gadhadhara Pandit and used to hear from him because he was Radharani.  And Mahaprabhu wanted to develop mood of love of separation from Gadhadhara Pandit.

Pure devotional service means hearing about Krishna from pure devotees of Krishna in the association of devotees.

Conclusion

Class helped us go deep into the pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and understand his divine qualities which many times are difficult to apprehend. One point was clear that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to this world from the spiritual world to teach us how to practice pure devotion sincerely so that we can go back to the spiritual world in this lifetime only.  Maharaj later always invited questions from the audience and cleared doubts of the devotees.    

Gaur Purnima celebration at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 14th March 2025

Gaur Purnima, the appearance day of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was celebrated with grandeur on 14^th March at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata.  On this day Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga wore multi coloured clothes and garlands of colourful flowers and Tulsi leaves.

The altar was decorated to give it a look of Jagannath Temple.  It made sense because Lord Chaitanya after taking sannyas resided in Jagannath Puri for most of the time. And he daily visited the temple to take darshan of Lord Jagannath. Mahaprabhu by his personal example is teaching us the importance of visiting temple daily and taking darshan of the Lord.

In the temple hall two statues of crouching lions were put up just like we have in Jagannath Temple at Singhadwara.  Inside the altar, the pillar was painted in yellow, red, blue, green and pink colour. The roof was of white colour and were decorated with orange and yellow marigold flowers.  In the temple hall canopy having shades of red, yellow and green hung from the ceiling.  

Srila Prabhupada’s altar too was decorated with flower, flower garlands and colourful leaves.

Outside the temple hall colouful rangolis were made at different places by the devotees.

Gaur Purnima is a very important festival for Gaudiya Vaisnavas, so devotees were putting their best efforts to decorate the temple. A separate pandal was built for cultural program and for prasadam serving. Each devotee was trying their best to render service to the Lord on this special day.

Devotees from various VOICE centres and congregation devotees came in large numbers to participate in the festival.

Morning program in the temple

Festival began from 4:30 am onwards starting with Mangala Arati in which many devotees participated. Devotees chanted the holy name of Krishna i.e. the Hare Krishna Mahamantra till 8 am. At around 7:15 am some of the devotees also went out for nagar sankirtan. At 8 am there was Guru Puju.

Devotees were eagerly waiting to take darshan of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga.  And their desire got fulfilled when the altar opened at 8:30 am. The two Lord looked extremely beautiful and attracted the heart of all. Devotees offered flower to the Lord while singing “govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami” prayer from Brahma Samhita. After that all devotees sang śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu doyā koro more, the song was led by HG Prem Swarup Prabhu.

At 8:45 am Gaur Katha began. HG Acharyaratna Prabhu spoke on various pastimes of Lord Chaitanya given in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. After his class, Prabhuji, inspired devotees to buy Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, so that they can regularly read about Lord’s pastimes. There were devotees who wanted to have a copy of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta and there were also devotees who were desiring to donate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta to those who wanted it.

Many devotees got Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta by the grace of the devotees who donated it.

After the distribution of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, there was class by HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu. In the class, Prabhuji described Mahaprakha Lila of Lord Chaitanya and the lessons we can learn from the pastime.

The class went till around 12 noon. At 12 noon there was bhoga arati of the Lord.

Evening cultural program included abhishek, drama, Gaur Katha and arati of the Lord

Hundreds of devotees had started congregating for the evening program.  Evening cultural program was organized at pandal, and it began at 5 pm.  There was grand abhishek of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga at the pandal. For abhishek, the deities were taken on palki procession from temple hall to pandal.

During the palki procession, devotees were chanting and dancing. Some were fanning the Lord, some were blowing conch shells, some were showering flower petals on the Lord, some were playing mridangas and some were playing kartals.  

Both the deities were reverentially placed on abhishek table in the pandal. Pandal was completely filled with devotees. While the program was going on in the pandal, there were many people who were visiting temple hall to take darshan of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. Many people came to take darshan of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. They offered fruits and sweets at the lotus feet of the Lord. As same day Holi was being celebrated, so many were also bringing colours and were offering it to the Lord.

Abhishek of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga

On this auspicious day of Gaur Purnima, devotees were fortunate to get the association of HH Subhag Swami Maharaj, a senior Iskcon sannyasi and disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Maharaj performed arati of Sri Sri Nitai Gauraga before the start of the abhishek in pandal. Maharaj also performed abhishek of the Lord. 

The deities were bathed with pancamrita, pancagavya, fruit juices, scented water like Kesar water, rose water, coconut water, sarvaausadhi, mahaausadhi, astagandha and finally with colourful flower petals.  

After abhishek there was a drama performed by the devotees.

Gaur Katha by HH Subhag Swami Maharaj

After drama there was Gaur Katha by HH Subhag Swami Maharaj. Maharaj beautiful spoke about the necessity of taking shelter of Lord Gauranga and serving him constantly without any ulterior motives. After the class, Maharaj invited questions from the assembled devotees. Many devotees asked questions, and Maharaj logically cleared their doubts.

After the class, there was Gaur arati. During the arati devotees sang, jaya jaya gorācāńder āratiko śobhā.

At the end there was delicious prasadam for all. It was a wonderful day for all to remember and worship Lord Gauranga on the day of Gaur Purnima.

This year let us invite Krishna to reside in our heart

If we develop a desire to invite Krishna to reside in our heart then Krishna will surely come because he is our best well wishing friend – suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ, Bhagavad Gita 5.29.

None of us are without any desires. In fact, we always make different plans to satisfy our material desires. But most of the time, we see that our desires do not get fulfilled. And these unfulfilled desires cause lots of pain and frustration.

For example, last year at the beginning of the year, we had jotted down list of goals which we wanted to achieve in 2024. Now if we introspect, we will find that many of our goals were not realized.

But some may protest saying that some were indeed achieved. Unfulfilled desires make us sad but what about fulfilled desires? Let us pause for a moment and introspect and ask ourselves that are these fulfilled desires giving us great satisfaction?

Few examples

Duryodhana was successful in driving away Pandavas to forest for 13 years and enjoy the kingdom. But during these periods was he happy and satisfied? Ravana was able to marry so many beautiful queens. But did it satisfy him? The answer is well known. Similarly, our material desires, whether unfulfilled or fulfilled, fail to satisfy our heart.

Why? It is because we are not material beings, we are not robots, but we are spiritual beings. So, the things of this world do not have the capability to satisfy us.  In fact, the more the material desires we have, the more miserable we become.  So, Bhagavad Gita says that if we desire to attain peace then we should shun all material desires. Bhagavad Gita 2.71

Soul cannot be desireless

Now as souls we cannot be desireless. So, the holy books say that along with giving up material desires we should also simultaneously cultivate spiritual desires. In fact, as we begin nurturing spiritual desires in our heart the material desires gradually starts disappearing.  So, what kind of spiritual desire we should have?

The desire which helps us go closer to Krishna should be developed. In fact, Krishna is also eager that we quickly give up all worldly desires and go back to him. And to help us attain him, he appears as his own devotee as Lord Gauranga to teach us how to become his devotee.

Medicine for the sleeping souls

Great vaisnava saint, Srila Bhakitvinod Thakura says that Lord Gauranga has appeared in this world to wake us, the sleeping souls – jiv jago, jiv jago, gauracanda bole.  Further he says that Lord Gauranga has brought for us the perfect medicine which can deliver us from all sufferings. And that medicine is the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra – enechi aushadhi maya nasibaro lagi’ / hari-nama maha-mantra lao tumi magi’

The holy name of Krishna is the perfect medicine for all the suffering souls. By regularly and attentively chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra, our heart gets cleansed of all material desires. It also gets rid of vices like lust, anger and greed. Once our heart gets purified, we will experience peace. And since we are under the shelter of the holy name, so the love of Krishna also begins gradually manifesting in our heart bringing great bliss. 

So, why to nurture material desires and suffer. Instead let us make plans to cultivate spiritual desires, so that we attain freedom from all sufferings. This year let us invite Krishna to reside in our heart.  This is the best way to begin this year.

Students of “Children Seminary School” visits Iskcon Newtown Kolkata

Students of Children Seminary School visited Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 13^th Dec 2024. They were accompanied by their teachers and school’s principal was also present.

Although we think that only grown-ups are interested in spirituality and like to visit temple, but we saw that the students were happy to be in the temple.

They came by bus and reached temple at around 11 am.  Anything auspicious should begin by taking darshan of the Lord. So, we decided to immediately visit the temple. Students kept their belongings in a hall and then quickly proceeded to the temple in queue. 

Darshan of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga & Goshala visit

In front of beautiful Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, children stood in rapt attention seeking the blessings of the Lord.

Meanwhile devotees were melodiously singing Hare Krishna kirtan in the temple hall. Children and faculty members too joined in singing the holy names of Krishna. Each child and faculty members were given a flower to offer to the Lord, which they did while the kirtan was going on. 

We then decided to have dancing kirtan. We thought that students and teachers may be reluctant for dancing kirtan, but everyone happily joined and danced to their hearts content for the pleasure of the Lord. Simultaneously one of the faculty members, was applying tilak to the students and the teachers.

Students dressed in school uniform wearing vasinav tilak looked beautiful. After darshan and dancing kirtan, everyone was given charanamrita.

From temple hall we proceeded to Goshala. Children were excited to see the cows. One of the devotees, HG Somdev Prabhu, spoke about the importance of cows and how we should take care of them. They were also given food items to feed the cows. They all were happy to see the cows, to be with the cows and feed the cows.

Interactive session, Quiz & Gita sloka recitation

From Goshala, we proceeded to the hall for our next program. It was important to explain the students about the place they are visiting and essential facts associated with it. We explained to them about the deity, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, whose darshan they had taken.

We then told them about Iskcon, Srila Prabhupada, Goshala and organic farming.  This is the month of Gita Jayanti, so we also told them about Bhagavad Gita and recited the verse. 

Bhagavad Gita Verse Recitation

Bhagavad Gita 18.78

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo
yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ
tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir
dhruvā nītir matir mama

Translation

“Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.”

This verse very clearly says that if like Arjuna we too take shelter of Krishna then we will always be happy. We also asked few students to recite the verse which they did. Principal Mam also came forward and recited the verse. She also recited the famous verse from Bhagavad Gita 4.7.

Bhagavad Gita 4.7

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

Translation

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.”

The discussion was interactive and in between we had quizzes. Those students who gave correct answers were given prizes. Even Principal mam participated in the quiz and got a gift.

During our discussion, we also showed them videos. One was about the cows and how Krishna loves cows. Second video was about the importance of having good association. Although students were in a picnic mood, but it was also important to share some important spiritual lessons which will help them in their life. 

Game, lunch & gift

It was 1:30 pm but students wanted to play before taking lunch prasadam.  So, they went outside to an open ground about 300 metres away from temple to play. Meanwhile faculty members were exploring the temple and trying to see various places.

By around 2:30 pm. students returned back, and it was time for lunch prasadam.  Lunch prasadam included yellow rice, white rice, aloo rajma, lauki sabji, sweet rice. 

As per their schedule they were to leave after lunch prasadam.

While they were boarding their bus, we gave students and faculty members one rasgulla and a badge which had pictures of Krishna, Jagannath, Radharani. By seeing this badge, they will remember the Lord and their visit.

We are grateful to the principal, to the teachers and to the students of Children Seminary School for visiting Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata. We hope they will continue coming to the temple. 

We also pray to Lord Krishna to shower his blessings upon each student and all the faculty members of Children Seminary School.

Bhagavad Gita teaches us to “Win the battle within”

To win any battle in life, it is important to first “win the battle within.” If we are able to do so then we will always have the strenght and enthusiasm to face any challenges in life.

How to win the battle within is very logically and systematically explained in Bhagavad Gita by Krishna. Let us try to reflect upon the teachings of this great literature. This month we are celebrating Gita Jayanti.

Every year in the month of December on the day of Mokshada Ekadasi, we celebrate Gita Jayanti. Gita Jayanti is the day when Lord Krishna spoke the message of Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna.

The message was spoken 5000 years back at the battlefield of Kurukshetra to Arjuna who was on the mission to fight against the evil forces. But just before the onset of war Arjuna was completely confused and he thought to not fight the war. 

He gave the reason that if I fight then I will have to kill, and I do not want to kill the Kauravas. This statement looks very appealing and gives the impression that Arjuna is a kind – hearted person who does not want to cause pain to others.

Why Krishna asks Arjuna to fight?

Now just imagine, there are tyrannical forces who are hell bent to unleash havoc on common masses but the commander in chief of the nation’s army develops compassion for the enemies of the humanity. So, will the action of the commander in chief be justified? The answer is obvious.

This is why Krishna says to Arjuna about the necessity of fighting the Mahabharat war. It is the duty of the righteous to eliminate the unrighteous. It was not that Krishna was advocating war since beginning. In fact, he was the first person to go as a peace messenger to convince Duryodhana to live amicably with the Pandavas.

But instead of appreciating the gesture of Krishna, Duryodhana tried to capture and imprison Krishna. Krishna is not an ordinary person; he is the Supreme Lord. So, how Duryodhana could have succeeded in doing any harm to Krishna.

Krishna hardly talks about the war in Gita

War was the only option left. Because if left unchecked, Duryodhana would have caused great disturbance in the society. He was the one who had asked his brother, Dushashana, to disrobe Draupadi in the Kuru assembly. So, he had to be punished and Arjuna as a soldier had the responsibility to protect the citizens of his kingdom.

Interestingly, if we read Bhagavad Gita, we do not see Krishna speaking to Arjuna much about fighting the war. When Arjuna becomes confused about his duty and is not able to decide whether to fight or not, he approaches Krishna for guidance.

Krishna could have immediately narrated the atrocities of Duryodhana and the Kauravas and would have convinced Arjuna to fight.

But instead he starts telling Arjuna about the importance of leading a virtuous life. He further talks about the necessity of controlling the mind and senses and engaging it in the service as ordained in the scriptures.  The Supreme Lord speaks about different yoga processes – karma yoga, dhyana yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti Yoga.  He speaks again and again how to uplift the consciousness so that one lead a sin free and happy life.

First win the battle win

To win the battle outside, it is important to win the battle within. Gita helps us to win the battle within. Once we are able to gain victory over ourselves it becomes easy to deal with the outside world. And for this it is necessary to rein in over our uncontrolled mind and senses.

Although Bhagavad Gita was spoken to a warrior, but its message is relevant to everyone. If we read Gita, we feel that Krishna is directly speaking to us.

Whether one is a student, a teacher, a working professional, a housewife, a politician, a businessman, young or old, everyone after reading Bhagavad Gita gets mantra which helps them to lead a better life.

Important principles given in Bhagavad Gita

Bhagavad Gita teaches us certain principles which helps to win the battle within

1. We are not material beings, but we are spiritual beings i.e. we are spirit souls.
2. As souls we never die. We only change our material bodies.
3. As long as we are in this material world, we will have to accept new material bodies again and again. And what material body, we are going to get in future life, depends upon our karma. If we have done bad karma, we will get a body where we have to suffer immensely. For example, we may get body of an animal, a handicapped body or birth in a place where there is so much trouble. But if we have done good karma then we will get birth in a good family, we may even go to heavenly planets.
4. Krishna says that whether we are on earth or in heaven there will always be suffering. He says that this material world is miserable and temporary. Here no matter how best we try we will have to suffer. This is why sometimes this world is compared to a prison house. In a prison house a prisoner is always subjected to different kinds of suffering. And finally in this world, everyone has to die i.e. quit his current material body.
5. So, Krishna asks us to leave this misery giving world and come to his spiritual abode where life is eternal and free from all sufferings.
6. This becomes possible when we get attached to Krishna, the Supreme Lord and gradually free our heart from all impurities. Once we become pure, we will start experiencing happiness and satisfaction in always serving Krishna.
7. And why we should get attached only to Krishna. Because he is the Supreme Lord. In Gita, Krishna reveals that he is the Supreme Lord. And to convince us, he demonstrates it practically by showing his universal form.

Know Gita to win the battle within

Now once Arjuna understands who Krishna is and who he is, it becomes easy for him to figure out his mission and purpose of life.

Purpose of life is to please Krishna and mission of life is to execute the orders of Krishna. Krishna says that he appears in this world to annihilate the miscreants and to protect the devotees who are always righteous.  So, by fighting against the Kauravas and eliminating the evil Duryodhana, Arjuna assists Krishna in his mission.

Like Arjuna, we should lead our life as per the teachings of Krishna and use our mind, senses, body, words and all talent in the service of Krishna.

This material world fails to satisfy us and give happiness to us. But as soon as we bring Krishna in the centre and use things of this world in the service of Krishan then everything becomes spiritual.

Eight instructions of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura as told by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj

We celebrated the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on 19th Dec 2024. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura played a pivotal role in reviving and spreading the teachings of Lord Chaitanya to the masses.  The great acharya gave many important instructions which if applied in life can help us to attain Krishna.

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj in one of his lectures talks about the 8 instructions of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.

Below article is based on Maharaj’s lecture.

1. Preach the teaching of Rupa & Raghunath with all your energy and resources

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would say that each devotee should utilize their energy and resources in spreading the teachings of Rupa Goswami and Raghunath Das Goswami.  He further said that the ultimate goal of our life is to become dust at the lotus feet of Rupa and Raghunath.

And this is what we see Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura did throughout his life. He dedicated his life in spreading the message of Lord Chaitanya as per the guidelines of Rupa & Raghunath.

In fact, he was the one who conclusively defeated the caste Goswamis and caste Brahmanas who were misinterpreting Vedic literatures for their benefit.  Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura tried his best to convince devotees to practice pure bhakti.

2. Work conjointly to serve the Lord

As per the great acharya, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, we all should come together to serve the Lord. In fact, this was also one of the important last instructions of our Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada would say, “You can show your love for me by how you cooperate in fulfilling this mission of Krishna Consciousness.”

One time while addressing the devotees, he said, “You should somehow live without quarrel.” This becomes possible when we keep Krishna always in the centre. In this world, people have different opinions, so we should not be surprised if devotees have different viewpoints.

There is a beautiful verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.42  which says,

nāhaṁ ninde na ca staumi
sva-bhāva-viṣamaṁ janam
eteṣāṁ śreya āśāse
utaikātmyaṁ mahātmani

Translation

“Different people are of different mentalities. Therefore it is not my business either to praise them or to blaspheme them. I only desire their welfare, hoping that they will agree to become one with the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.”

But in spite of different opinions, we should come together to serve the Lord. For example, we see monkeys came together to build a bridge for Lord Rama. And by rendering this service they got the mercy of Lord Rama and became glorious.

Even in the spiritual world, there are different opinions.  Lord Krishna has two sets of gopis- one led by Radharani and another by Chandravali. And both the groups have different viewpoints, but their purpose is to always serve Krishna and please Krishna.

3. Do not give up your service in spite of danger, difficulties and criticism

Many times we think that because we are serving Krishna everyone is going to love me, praise me and think good about me. But if we study the life of devotees, we see that great devotees did not have happy-go-lucky life.

Arjuna had to fight most difficult Mahabharat war. Prahlad was continuously tortured by his own father. Maharaj Ambaraish was criticized severely by Durvasa Muni who wanted to punish him. And Gajendra was fighting for survival as he was caught by a crocodile.

In recent times, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was criticized by caste conscious people. When Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had gone to Vrindavan with group of devotees, then he found that all the doors of the temples were closed and shops too were shut.

One time during Nabadwip Parikrama, he and his disciples were attacked by caste brahmanas and caste goswamis. They had even tried to bribe a policeman so that they can kill Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. But they never succeeded in their nefarious agendas.

Similarly, Srila Prabhupada suffered two massive heart attacks on Jaladutta, the cargo ship, when we was travelling to west. Once in the west, under the influence of drug, one young man with whom he was sharing flat tried to attack him violently. And Srila Prabhupada had to run for his life.

We have also seen how devotees were tortured in Communist Russia or how devotees are being attacked in Bangladesh.

4. Obstacles on the path of service are friends of a devotee

Obstacles come in our life to test our sincerity towards devotional life. If we respond to these obstacles, then we will make great advancement in our spiritual life. Even in this world, we see that people who do not give up and persevere are considered great.

We hear stories of sports personalities, business magnets, scientists, artists who continued working hard in spite of so many challenging circumstances. And by dint of their hard work they finally reached their goal. In our spiritual life too, we all come across challenges. But if we persist, we will succeed.

And there are so many examples of devotees who never gave up and finally attained Krishna.

Many times great souls, are also put into difficulties to show the world how great they are. And also to teach us an important lesson that “we should never became disheartened during difficult times.” Prahlad Maharaj, Pandavas, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, Srila Prabhupada all went through struggles. 

5. Do not be disappointed when because things are not going your way

We may have our plans, but Krishna has best plan for us and he knows what to give us and what not to give us.  So, we should not be disappointed when things are not going the way we want it to go.

For example, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would send devotees to preach. And when they would return they would feel disappointed. Upon inquiry, they would say to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura that in the program just 2-3 people came to hear lecture.

Hearing this Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura would be so happy. He would say, “You are speaking the message of Lord Chaitanya for Krishna’s pleasure and satisfaction. And even if no one comes, do not worry, preach to the four walls of the room.”

6. Always hear and chant the names and glories of Krishna

Whatever may be the situations and circumstances we should not give up chanting the names and glories of Krishna. The nature of this world is that sometimes here we get success, sometimes failure, sometimes disappointment, sometimes joy.

Our spiritual life, especially chanting the names of Krishna, should not get affected by it.

Chanting keeps us connected to Krishna and should be never given up. Chanting purifies our heart from all the impurities and sins and give us love of Krishna. So, we should always try our best to sincerely chant the names of Krishna.

7. How to always chant the holy names

And to chant sincerely, we should have the patience and forbearance of a tree and the humbleness of a piece of straw. This is what Lord Chaitanya asks us to do.

trinad api sunichena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih

“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.”

We should never try to harm anyway.

Just like when one hits a mango tree with a stone then in return the tree gifts the person a mango. Similarly, although someone may try to harm us, but we should never think of harming others but try to do something good for them. And best thing to do is to give them Krishna.

8. Greatest need of society

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakuraa taught us that the greatest need of the world is Krishna Consciousness, and we should try our best to spread this Krishna Consciousness movement.

Srila Prabhupada would say to his disciples that I am not actually doing it but you are doing . He would appeal to the devotees to carry on with the mission of his Guru Maharaj, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Srila Prabhupada dedicated his entire life in carrying out the message of his spiritual master.

The first instruction which Srila Prabhupada got from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was to preach the message of Lord Chaitanya all over the world and this is what Srila Prabhupada did.

We should also try our best as per our capacity to spread this Krishna Conscious movement.  This becomes easy to do when we always keep Krishna in the centre.

It is worth meditating upon these instructions of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and applying it in our spiritual life.

Gita Jayanti Yajna organized by Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata Congregation devotees

Gita Jayanti Yajna was organized in Shapoorji (which is near Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata) on 15^th Dec 2024 in which several devotees participated and offered oblations to the sacrificial fire while reciting the Vedic mantras. It was a divine and purifying experience for each one of us.

Although Gita Jayanti was on 13^th Dec, but we decided to have it on weekend, Sunday 15^th Dec, so that many devotees can participate.

Why Sankirtan Yajna was started?

Vedic Yajna requires elaborate preparations, so it is not possible to perform daily or even weekly.  So, on special occasions like Gita Jayanti, Bhadra Purnima and many times on the day of ekadasi, yajna is performed. 

This is the reason that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, started sankirtan yajna for us. Sankirtan Yajna means congregational chanting of the holy names of Krishna i.e the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

And this yajna can be done at any time, at any place because there are no hard and fast rules for chanting the names of Krishna. The only requirement is that one should have a desire to chant the names of Krishna.

Yajna part of Vedic culture

However, whenever possible we should perform fire sacrifice as this is part of our Vedic culture and we should always remain rooted to it. If we begin leading our life as per the guidelines of Vedic scriptures, then we will be able to ward of any miseries from our life. This is the reason Lord gave scriptures to us, so that we can lead a happy life by living as per the wisdom words of Vedic books.

When we decided to have Gita Jayanti Yajna, then many devotees were excited and eager to participate. We planned to have it from 11 am onwards.  We invited HG Abhiram Gopal Prabhu to perform yajna. Prabhuji is expert in this field as he has got training in Mayapur to perform Vedic sacrifices.

Preparation for Gita Jayanti Yajna

First Yajna kund was prepared using sacred items. Yajna kund was filled with sand, then mango woods were placed on it.

Around the yajna kund, 4 kalash was placed, which was wrapped with sacred thread. Kalash was filled with water till the neck and Ganges water was poured into it. Coconut (Daab with sikha) was placed on top of each kalash along with a towel. Around the yajna kund, many varieties of fruits and flowers were placed.

While the yajna kund was being prepared, some devotees were busy preparing bhoga for the Lord in the kitchen.

Meanwhile devotees were arriving to participate in the yajna. At it was Sunday morning, so devotees were little late to arrive. But as soon as the devotees arrived, the program started.

Yajna starts

First there was short kirtan starting with Jay Radha Madhav followed by Hare Krishna Kirtan. 

After the kirtan, devotees chanted one round of Hare Krishna Mahamantra together on beads. It was important to prepare the consciousness and invoke the blessings of Krishna before starting the yajna. The purpose of Gita Jayanti yajna was to get the blessings of Lord Krishna and develop a desire to lead our life as per his teachings which he has given in Bhagavad Gita.

Yajna started with auspicious chanting of Vedic mantras. Devotees including children with rapt attention was hearing the sankrit verses and trying their best to follow it.

Sacrificial fire was lit amidst the chanting of the Vedic mantras.  Pure ghee was continuously poured in the yajna kund.

Devotees were asked by Abhiram Gopal Prabhu to offer oblations into the fire. For the yajna some devotees had fasted since morning, this included even children.

Each of the devotee sitting in the yajna was given ingredients to offer in the yajna. Since everyone was not sitting close to fire, so devotees were given two bowls. In one bowl they had the ingredients and an empty bowl in which they were putting the ingredients after saying svaha.  Those who were sitting near the yajna kund directly offered homa to the sacrificial fire.

Reciting Bhagavad Gita Verses

We also recited the selected Bhagavad Gita verses during Yajna and offered oblations.  First, we all recited the first verse of Bhagavad Gita, then selected verses from Chapter 7 to Chapter 12, and then the last verse of Bhagavad Gita. After reciting each verse devotees offered homa to the sacrificial fire.

And during the purna ahuti, all the ingredients were poured into the sacrificial fire.  While performing yajna, one may commit some mistake, so there were mantras (prayascitta homa) to seek forgiveness from the Lord.

At the end of the yajna there was visarjan. In Visarjan, we address the personalities who have been invited for the sacrifice and politely ask them to return to their abodes by requesting them to come back on the next occasion.

Short class, cake cutting & prasadam

After the yajna was completed, we had Hare Krishna kirtan, followed by small talk by HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu on the importance of having and reading Bhagavad Gita. We had also put up a book table where we had kept Bhagavad Gita in English, Hindi and Bengali Language.

On this special day, there was also birthday of little Tungavidya, daughter of HG Madhusudan Prabhu and HG Rukmini Mataji. A special cake was arranged for birthday. Bhoga items along with cake was first offered to the Lord. Then there was cake cutting and kirtan.

It was getting late, and everyone was hungry too. So, we made sure that prasadam is distributed quickly. Devotees had prepared many items, and everyone relished prasadam to their hearts content.

Wonderful experience

It was a wonderful way to celebrate Gita Jayanti. Hope this yajna will inspire each one of us to read Bhagavad Gita daily or at least on a regular basis. And most importantly, we should start applying the teachings of Bhagavad Gita in our life.

We have a desire to celebrate Gita Jayanti yajna next year too. Let us pray to Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, so that we can celebrate it next year too with great enthusiasm.

Gita Jayanti Yajna Sucipatrah

Below are the list of items/ingredients used during the Gita Jayanti Yajna

• Daab with sikha – 5 (green and clean)
• New cloth (Gamchas) – 5
• Cheri kapor – 1
• Cotton small roll (one can get from medical shop)
• Cow ghee: 2.25 lt
• Mango wood: 10 kg(It should be clean and to be made sure that there is no dust or insects)
• Sand: 1 kg
• Camphor: 100 gms
• Kusha: 3 bundle
• Dhan: 500 gms
• Govindabhog rice: 100 gms
• Turmeric powder: 1 small packet.
• Matchbox/ lighter
• Cardamom/clove/cinnamon/nutmeg/javitri. Small quantity
• Supari: 5 pcs
• Haritaki: 5 pcs
• Katali Banana: 4 pcs
• Good quality pure Chandan powder
• Red mauli thread: 1
• Sindur: 1 box
• Yellow Mustard seeds: 10 gm
• Dhoop (without stick)
• Dhuna (powdered): 50 gms
• Mango Leaves: 7 pcs for ghats and few bunches (as many possible) for the decoration around Kunda
• Seasonal Fruits as many possible
• Durva grass little.
• Tulasi little 1 bundle (to be washed and kept in a bowl)
• Yellow /orange marigold garlands for decoration around the Yajna Kunda : as many possible
• Garlands (Rajani Genda for the ghatas): 5
• Bhagavad Gita should be decorated on an aasan with garlands and flowers.
• Lotus: 2
• Loose Rajani flowers
• Loose flowers like rose, chandramallika (Chrysanthemum) etc
• 1 plate nice bhoga – either Puri, halva plate or plate full of sweets, laddus, savouries etc & with glass of water.
• Banana leaves: 6
• Supari plates medium size 2 each.

• For Yajna Participants (Depends on number of Yajmaan)
  • Kush aasan for participantsAachaman patra: 3-4
  • Barley 75 gms and Black til 75gms for each yajman.

74th Vyasa Puja Celebration of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj at Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata

On 7^th Dec 2024, devotees at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata celebrated 74^th Vyasa Puja of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.  Large number of devotees had congregated to celebrate the occasion. A beautiful picture of Maharaj was kept near the altar of Srila Prabhupada. The program began with a video lecture of Maharaj at 8 am after darshan arati and Guru Puja.

After Maharaj’s video class, devotees began giving their offerings.  In their offerings, devotees shared how Maharaj’s teachings and life have helped them to sustain and grow in spiritual life.  Devotees were blessed to have the association of HG Vrindavan Prabhu, a very senior disciple of Maharaj. In his offering, prabhuji spoke wonderful pastimes of Maharaj.  

After the offerings, there was padpraksalan of Maharaj.  The items used for padapraksalan was – madhparkah, milk, curd, ghee, honey, misri (sugarcane) water, rose water, pancapauspa jal, kesar water, chandan paste, flower garlands, new saffron clothes, brahmana thread, dhupa and dipa.

After padapraksalan, bhoga was offered to Maharaj. Devotees since morning were busy preparing varieties of food items for this special occasion. These bhoga were first offered to Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and then to Maharaj. The bhoga also included delicious cake. 

After bhoga offering, there was Pushpanjali which followed by arati of Maharaj. During the arati devtoees sang – sri guru padma..

After arati there was feast prasadam for all at 1:30 pm.

Hearing pastimes of HH Radhananth Swami Maharaj

In the evening, HG Vrindavan Prabhu was scheduled to share the pastimes of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. The evening program began at 5 pm in which many devotees participated as everyone was eager to hear Maharaj’s pastimes.

Prabhuji shared many pastimes of Maharaj which helped devotees to understand the mood of Maharaj and Maharaj’s extraordinary dedication to serve Srila Prabhupada and spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world as per the desire of Srila Prabhupada. 

Prabhuji spoke and gave examples to explain how Maharaj is so much dedicated in his sadhana. While chanting, he remains completely absorbed and while executing his service he is not disturbed by any bodily discomforts or pains.  These pastimes were inspiring and motivating for all the devotees.

The class went on till 8 pm and after that there was dancing kirtan followed by dinner prasadam.  

It was a wonderful day to celebrate and glorify HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on his 74th Vyasa Puja.

HG Vrindavan Prabhu again spoke the pastimes of Maharaj at Iskcon Centre in New Alipore, the next day i.e. on 9^th Dec 2024.

Reflecting upon 7 wonderful qualities of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on his 74th Vyasa Puja

Today we are celebrating 74^th Vyasa Puja of HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj. It is very important and auspicious day for all his disciples, in fact for all the devotees of the world. 

I consider myself very fortunate that Maharaja gave me shelter of his lotus feet and accepted me his disciple in spite of me not been qualified. 

I pray to Maharaj on his Vyas Puja day to give me determination and patience so that I can free myself from all vices like lust, anger and greed which is binding me to this material world.

On this auspicious day of 74^th Vyasa Puja of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, let us reflect upon his 7 wonderful qualities.

1. The humble acharya

Maharaj is one of the senior most disciples of Srila Prabhupada and for more than 50 years have been tirelessly working hard to spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world. He has influenced the lives of lakhs of people. Today he has thousands of disciples and there are thousands of others who aspire to become his disciples. Not just that there are many materially well accomplished people who take inspiration and guidance from Maharaj from different parts of the world.

But in spite of all these great achievements and honour, he always remains humble. In fact, if someone who does not know Maharaj sees him, he will feel that he is just any ordinary saffron robe wearing monk.

He never allows devotees surrounding him & chanting his glories, clicking his pictures, throwing flower petals upon him or putting huge garlands upon him. He leads a very simple life and does not want to be treated as a celebrity.

Once when Maharaj was staying at the house of HG Srinathji Prabhu then prabhuji had arranged everything nicely for his comfortable stay. Maharaj was given a nice room, comfortable bed, wollen blanket so that he could take rest properly.

But to his surprise, HG Srinathji Prabhu early in the morning saw that Maharaj is sleeping on the terrace and not in the room. Prabhuji asked Maharaj, “How were you able to sleep on the terrace as there are so many mosquitoes?” Maharaj said, “While staying in the jungles and the Himalayas, he has learnt how to wrap his body nicely so that he is not disturbed by the mosquitoes.”

By this we learn about the importance of being simple in our life. I remember one of the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya with Sanatana Goswami. When Sanatana Goswami was wearing a valuable woollen blanket then it looked as if Lord Chaitanya was not happy. So, Sanatana Goswami decided to give it up. He went to the bank of the Ganges and there he traded his valuable woollen blanket with a torn quilt. And when Lord Chaitanya saw Sanatana Goswami having old torn quit instead of the costly woollen blanket, he was happy.

So, in spite of our accomplishments – spiritual or material – we should always lead a simple life and should not allow ourselves to be glorified by others.  

Yes, we should not imitate Maharaj, but we should at least try to follow his footsteps and guidelines.

2. Hearing from Srila Prabhupada again & again

During this year’s (2024) Kartik Yatra at Mayapur Dham, while giving class and speaking about Jagai and Madhai, Maharaj said that, “Today morning I was hearing Srila Prabhupada’s tape and Prabhupada was describing about Jagai and Madhai.”  And then Maharaj spoke what Srila Prabhupada had said in his lecture.

Maharaj might have spoken about the pastimes of Jagai and Madhai hundreds of times. In fact, I myself have heard it from Maharaj in his many lectures. But still Maharaj was hearing Srila Prabhupada speaking on this important pastime associated with Lord Chaitanya.  Maharaj through his example is teaching us the importance of hearing from Srila Prabhupada regularly. 

These days so many lectures and YouTube videos are available which is good. But what lesson we learn here from Maharaj is that we should make it a habit to regularly hear from Srila Prabhupada.

Now many times when I see any Srila Prabhupada lecture, I think that I have heard it earlier so let me hear something else. But Maharaj has directly heard from Srila Prabhupada, and he might have heard Srila Prabhupada’s tape on Jagai and Madhai so many times but still he is hearing.

In spiritual life, hearing is extremely important and hearing from a pure devotee have great impact in our heart.  Just by attentively hearing from Sukhadev Goswami, Maharaj Parikshit attained perfection. So, if we also try to hear from Srila Prabhupada, a pure devotee, attentively and constantly, we may also one day attain perfection.

3. Leading by Example

Great leaders do not just give sermons but always teaches the masses by his own example. During Kartik Yatra, every morning Maharaj would come to the pandal to chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Maharaj would always sit erect, face towards Tulsi Maharani and chant attentively on his beads.

Seeing Maharaj chanting so sincerely and with such absorption motivated us to also chant sincerely. In this age of Kali, chanting the holy names of Krishna is the only was by which we can deliver ourselves.

Maharaj by his personal example is teaching us the importance of chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra in the morning. And chanting should not be done to just finish the rounds but to be absorbed in the holy names of the Lord.

Seeing Maharaj chanting with such absorption in front of Tulsi Maharani made me remember namacharya Haridas Thakura who would sit in front of Tulsi Maharani and would remain absorbed in chanting the names of Krishna.

4. A dear, loving & caring friend of all

I have always seen that during each Kartik Yatra many of Maharaj’s godbrothers and godsisters come. It is only because of Maharaj’s loving nature that all these disciples of Srila Prabhupada who lives in different parts of the world come for Maharaj’s Kartik Yatra to give their association to all of us.

And especially on the day of the disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada, we get to hear so many wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada from the lotus mouth of these disciples of Srila Prabhupada. We were not here when Srila Prabhupada was transforming the whole world. So, our connection with Srila Prabhupada is through his disciples. So, the more we directly hear from them about Srila Prabhupada, the more we come to know about him and more we feel connected to him.

Maharaj would invite HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj to speak every evening and we had great fortune to hear from HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj in Mayapur Dham. And when because of bad health HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj was not able to come then HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj sent a long message for all the devotees who had come for Kartik Yatra. In his message Maharaj was thanking HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja and the devotees for coming to Mayapur. And, he was inspiring all of us to come again to the holy Dham.

We read in Chaitanya Charitamrita that how all the devotees would always come together to glorify the Lord and the devotees. This is what we see during Maharaj’s Kartik Yatra. Maharaj is teaching us about the importance of devotee association especially with our equals.  

Many times, because of our false ego and impure consciousness, we consider equals to be our competitors and so we do not develop loving relationships with them. Maharaj teaches us that we should always be respecting, honouring and glorifying our equals and should always have friendly relationships with them.

5. Always appreciating

Whenever there is an opportunity Maharaj begins to glorify the devotees.

Not just he glorifies great personalities like Vaisnava acharyas, Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, but he even glorifies his disciples and anyone who renders any service to Krishna. During the last day of Kartik Yatra, Maharaj was glorifying all the devotees who worked hard to make Mayapur Kartik Yatra successful.

Many times, I have seen that when someone renders some service then we think that it was their duty to do so, and there is nothing great about it. Or sometimes, although we appreciate their efforts, but we fail to glorify them in front of others.

But Maharaj makes it a point that everyone is appreciated and should feel that their services are being valued. Although it is not possible for Maharaj to remember name of each devotee who does service, but Maharaj makes it a point that he takes the name of all those devotees whom he knows. Such an appreciation by Maharaj inspires them to serve more and more. For those devotees, including me, who does not do service it gives us motivation to render some serve to Krishna.

And during his class and also during kirtan, he would recollect the services which his godbrothers and godsisters did for Srila Prabhupada.

6. Importance of cultivating devotional qualities

In all his lectures, Maharaj again and again emphasises on the need of cultivating high moral values. One of the oft quoted verses of Maharaj is

trinad api sunicena

taror api sahishnuna

amanina manadena

kirtaniyah sada harihi

“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.”

Maharaj never likes criticising anyone even if the criticism is genuine.

For example, during the Kartik Yatra 2024, the mic system was giving some issues. But I never saw Maharaj singling out those who were managing sound system. Maharaj would have pointed out their mistakes and we would have thought that Maharaj did the right thing. But he did not do it.

In one of the Vyas Puja offerings, HG Radheshyam Prabhu was saying that it is not that Maharaj does not correct devotees but he does it in such a loving way that the devotee who is doing mistakes learn the lesson and does not feel bad. 

But whenever Maharaj gets an opportunity, he begins glorifying any service rendered by devotees. 

In the outside world we just see the opposite. Something bad is exaggerated and something good is minimised. That is why material world is abominable, and material life is so miserable. 

Maharaj by his example is teaching us the consciousness which a devotee should cultivate.  A devotee should always try to see good in others. In one of the class Maharaj was saying that devotees should be like honeybees. Just like honeybees only looks for nectar in a flower and extracts it similarly we should always try to see good in others. 

And we should not be like flies who loves to sit on the wounds of a person causing him pain.  This may appear very easy to do. But it is extremely difficult. In this world most of the conflicts are only because people disrespect others, insults others and always sees bad in others. But as we change our mindset and starts seeing good in others by understanding that we all are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, Krisna, the conflicts will cease to exist.

Maharaj teaches that a devotee should think about others welfare and try his best to motivate others to serve Krishna.  And along with that devotees should have impeccable character.

7. His words touches the heart

Just like after speaking Bhagavad Gita, Krishna does not force Arjuna to follow him. Similarly, Maharaj never forces devotees to do certain thing but he always inspires them so that his disciples may engage in the service of Krishna.

Although Maharaj is a sannaysi, a guru, a spiritual leader, our spiritual father but his talk is never authoritative. I was not fortunate to have any personal interaction with Maharaj but after Brahmana initiation Maharaj spoke to few of us who had got Brahmana initiation. Maharaj spoke for few minutes and while speaking he said, “Now since you all are Brahmana initiated, so try to do some deity service also.” These words were enough to inspire us to engage in deity service.

Begging for his mercy

On this auspicious day of 74^th Vyasa Puja of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, I beg at his lotus for his mercy so that I can constantly serve Krishna, serve Srila Prabhupada, serve him, serve all the devotees without any ulterior motives. I beg at his lotus feet to purify my heart of all the anarthas especially lust so that I can always be engaging in loving devotional service to Krishna.

Maharaj’s insignificant servant

Purushottam Nitai Das