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

Mayapur Dham Yatra from Newtown, Kolkata

Congregation devotees from Jalvayu Towers, Omni Tulsi and Shapoorji who are connected to Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata went for two-day Mayapur Dham Yatra (23^rd Nov 2024 – 24^th Nov 2024).

Everyone had a wonderful experience. Yatra started on 23^rd Nov 2024, Saturday, morning. We had booked a bus for the yatra. Bus came at 5 am to Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata. Devotees boarded the bus from different locations like Iskcon Newtown temple, Shapoorji, Omni Tulsi and Jalvayu Towers.

Everyone was excited for the journey.

Fun filled spiritual activities in the bus

After everyone had boarded the bus and settled down, we had Mangal Arati and Narasimha Arati in which everyone enthusiastically participated.  After that devotees were told about the importance of Mayapur dham and the mood one should have during the yatra.

Breakfast

As everyone was up early in the morning, so obviously all were hungry.  So, we decided to have breakfast. The bus stopped at one place, so that devotees can comfortably have breakfast. The menu was sandwich, litti chokha and herbal tea. The interesting part was that sandwich was prepared in the bus only for which we had carried the ingredients.  We had also carried muri from the temple which was mixed with spices to give it jhalmuri flavour.  One packet was given to each devotee.

Dum Charade, Quiz & Chanting

After breakfast, bus again started. It was time for fun filled spiritual activities. First, we had dumb charades. One of the persons were asked to enact an act seeing which others were supposed to guess the character. Children as well as their parents participated. After that there was quiz in which questions were asked from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.

The meaning of Bhagavad Gita verses was given based on which children were asked to recite the verses. And children were able to recite the verses.  And those who gave correct answer either in dumb charades and quiz, were given gifts.

Since we were going to a holy place, so it was very important that the mood was always devotional. And one of the best ways to have that mood is by chanting the names of Krishna. Chanting beads were given to each devotee, children and elders, and everyone chanted the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

We all were so absorbed in different spiritual activities in the bus that time passed swiftly and soon we found that we have entered Mayapur.

Arriving in Mayapur and taking darshan of the Lord

We reached Iskcon Mayapur temple by around 10:30 am. Our stay was at Gita Bhavan. Devotees got the keys, and they checked in to Gita Bhavan. Two families got room in Vamsi Bhavan.

After checking in and freshening up, we all went to take darshan of the Lord in the temple. Many were coming to Mayapur for the first time and they were very eager to visit the temple. We took darshan of Sri Sri Radha Madhav and Asta Sakhis, Lord Narasimhadev, Sri Pancha-Tattva and Srila Prabhupada. Everyone felt spiritually enlivened after taking darshan of the beautiful deities. Some chanted in the temple while others participated in the kirtan which was going on in the temple.

After taking darshan of the Lord, we came back to Gita Bhavan for lunch prasadam.  Hundreds of devotees were taking prasadam there. We too sat with them. All the devotees relished lunch prasadam. For some, especially for children, it was a unique experience to see devotees in large numbers sitting in a prasadam hall and honouring prasadam together. 

Attending Ganga Arati at Srila Prabhupada Ghat

After prasadam we went to our rooms to take rest. It was decided that we all will gather together at 4 pm to go for Ganga Arati. At around 4 pm, devotees assembled and from Gita Bhavan, we went to Srila Prabhupada Ghat by walk. We could have taken toto also, but we preferred to walk so that we can experience Mayapur and see different places in Mayapur while walking. 

At Prabhupada ghat, a beautiful temple has been built on the bank of the Ganges by Iskcon. In the temple, there was the deity of Lord Krishna, Lord Gauranga and Ganga Devi. We took the permission of the temple authorities and did kirtan inside the temple and we all then chanted the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. At 5 pm, arati began in the temple in which everyone participated.

At 5:30 pm there was Maha arati of mother Ganges.  We also had carried diyas with us so that we can offer lamp to Mother Ganges.  We prepared arati plate by putting dozens of diyas on a plate and devotees one by one offered arati to Mother Ganges. It was such a wonderful and unique experience for each one of us.

Attending Gaur Arati in temple and watching movie in 360 degree full dome theatre

From there we came back to temple because everyone was eager to attend Gaur Arati in the temple.  We came by toto, and everyone quickly went inside the temple to participate in the arati. Devotees spent good amount of time inside the temple taking darshan of the Lord and participating in arati.  

Temple hall was completely filled with devotees and there were hundreds of devotees outside the temple hall also. And because of the huge crowd, it was little challenging to be always in the group.  So, after Gaur Arati, it took little time to gather all the devotees so that we could move to next destination.

Our next destination was seeing movie in full dome theatre. As devotees had got up early in the morning and throughout the day, they were busy so they were tired too. But no one wanted to miss the movie. We entered inside the theatre at 7:50 pm and the movie started at 8 pm.

Once inside, I understood why it is called 360 degree full dome theatre because movie was shown on the dome.  It gave the experience of planetarium. The movie explained in detail Mayapur dham and the nine islands of Navadwipa. Although the movie was philosophical but captivating. Video, picture and sound quality was amazing.  

After watching the movie, we rushed to Gita Bhavan for dinner as well were hungry.  Although the day was exhausting but no one was complaining because the experience which we all got throughout the day was pleasing to the heart.  Devotees quickly took dinner and went to their rooms to take rest.

The plan was that next day everyone should try to attend Mangal Arati at 4:30 am in the temple.

Attending Mangala Arati & visiting Goshala

Not all were able to come for Mangal Arati at 4:30 am because everyone was tired and many had small kids also. But few devotees came for Mangal Arati and they felt spiritually enlivened by the experience.  After Mangala arati, we chanted few rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. 

We then visited Goshala which is very famous.  In the Goshala there are hundreds of cows and bulls and all are well taken care. There is proper shelter for them and also good quality of food is given to them. There are dedicated devotees who lovingly take care of the cows.

One important point to be noted is that not all the cows give milk but still they are given love and care and not abandoned. These days we see many people keep cows at their home or in Goshala only till the time they give milk. And once they stop giving milk they are abandoned.

This is why we see many cows loitering in the street. Some die because of some disease, some meet with accident. This is very unfortunate; it should not happen. Scriptures explain that cow is our mother, and she should always be cared and protected.

After visiting Goshala, we returned to our rooms. Devotees who had not taken darshan of the Lord at 4:30 am were eager to visit the temple and participate in darshan arati which starts at 7 am.  After taking darshan devotees had breakfast at Radha Madhav food court adjacent to Gita Bhavan.  Breakfast was pasta.

Visiting ashram of HH Bhakti Raghav Swami Maharaj

Immediately after breakfast, we all proceeded to the ashram of HH Bhakti Raghav Swami Maharaj. As the ashram was little away from the temple, so we went by bus.  In the bus devotees were chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. There was no route for the bus to go inside the ashram, so we got down around 400 metres before the ashram. From there we walked towards to ashram.

It was full of natural beautiful. The ashram was surrounded by beautiful trees, colourful flowers and straw huts. In the centre of the ashram there was a beautiful deity of Radha and Krishna. We all felt that we have travelled back into time and have entered Vedic age when everything was natural and the Lord was always in the centre.

We all first took darshan of the Lord and also took caranamrita. Children were enjoying the ambience especially the garden which was full of blossomed flowers.  After darshan devotees sat under the trees to hear from Maharaj.

HH Bhakti Raghav Swami Maharaj was happy to see the devotees coming from Kolkata to Mayapur.

HH Bhakti Raghav Swami Maharaj speaks

Maharaj started the class by saying, “There are only two types of people in Kolkata. One type of people are those who have visited Mayapur and the second type of people are those who are about to visit Mayapur. Now you all are in the categories of those who have come to Mayapur.”

He further said that it is only because of the mercy of Srila Prabhupada that we all are here. He said about himself that had Srila Prabhupada had not preached all over the world, he would not have been here in Mayapur. Maharaj encouraged the devotees to take to the process of Krishna Consciousness as it provides freedom from all sufferings and opens gateway to eternal bliss. 

Class was interactive. Maharaj was making sure that children actively participate in the class. So, during his discussion, he was asking questions and asking children to respond. And children too were answering the questions.

At the end Maharaj asked children to recite one sloka from Bhagavad Gita which the children did. Two children even asked questions to Maharaj and Maharaj answered them to their satisfaction.  After the class, Maharaj distributed sweets to everyone.  It was a memorable experience for all of us.

While returning from the ashram to board the bus, we did kirtan along the way.

Visiting Yoga Pitha, birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu & Rajapur Jagannath Temple

We all then went to Yoga Pitha, the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. We were there by 11 am but at that time darshan was closed because bhoga was being offered to the Lord.

At 11:30 am, darshan opened and arati of the Lord started. It was a great fortune for all of us to participate in the bhog arati of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at his birthplace.

Devotees also took darshan of the neem tree under which Lord Chaitanya had appeared.  The tree is still there. Devotees pay obeisances to the tree and take some dust from the root of the tree and smear it on their forehead, some even eat it considering it to be Mahaprasadam.

At Yoga Pitha, we also took darshan of Lord Narasimhadev who is there with Goddess Lakshmi. There is also the deity of Jagannath Mishra and Saci Devi, father and mother of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  And there is also the deity of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakura, a great vaisnava saint who had rediscovered Mayapur and built such a beautiful temple for the Lord.

From Yoga Pitha, we went to Rajapur Jagannath temple.  There we took darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva, Subhadra Devi. There we also took darshan of Lord Gauranga and Simantini Devi who is none other than mother Parvati.

Lunch Prasadam at Gada Bhavan

As it was already 1 pm, so we immediately rushed back to the temple for lunch prasadam. We took lunch at Gada Bhavan. There the queue was very big. It looked as if we will have to stand in queue for a long period of time. But interestingly the queue was never still, it kept on moving.

And after few minutes only we found that we are inside prasadam hall, relishing prasadam at famous Gada Bhavan. The lunch prasadam like the previous day was delicious and satisfying.  

Devotees explore Mayapur in free time

After lunch prasadam, devotees were having their personal time to explore and experience Mayapur. During this period some went and spent time in the temple, some moved around Mayapur exploring different places of interest, but everyone purchased something from Mayapur.  

Returning back from Mayapur Dham to Kolkata

Our plan was that devotees will attend Gaur Arati at 6 pm in the temple and then we will board the bus at 7 pm to return back to Kolkata.  In the evening devotees took darshan of the Lord and then boarded the bus. We started our return journey at around 7:15 pm from Mayapur. As the bus started, we sang Narasimha arati seeking protection and blessings of Lord Narasimhadev.

We had carried dinner prasadam packet with us which we got prepared at Gita Bhavan kitchen. As everyone felt hungry, especially children, so we distributed dinner packets to all. Devotees had dinner – puri sabji and sweet.

Devotees shared their realizations about the Mayapur Yatra

After dinner, devotees shared their realizations, their experience in Mayapur. Everyone had a great time. It was fun filled spiritual journey.  Everyone had a desire to again visit Mayapur dham. Hope by the mercy of Lord Chaitanya we will again be able to visit Mayapur dham soon.

But meanwhile everyone was thinking about next yatra. Let us see where we go next – whether to Vrindavan or to Jagannath Puri, everything depends upon our desire and mercy of the Supreme Lord. After sharing realizations, devotees took rest in the bus.

The weather was pleasant, journey was smooth, and we reached back to Kolkata at around 12 midnight.   

Power of holy name of Krishna

“Holy name of Krishna is extremely powerful and has the power to free us from all the sins and ultimately give us love of Krishna.”  HG Gauranga Prabhu during his address to the devotees of Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata on 27^th September elaborately discussed on this topic – Power of Holy Name.

In his talk he emphasised on the importance of taking shelter of Krishna’s holy name. His lecture was inspiring, motivating and also had few funny anecdotes.

Below is what HG Gauranga Prabhu said during his lecture:

In Bhagavad Gita Krishna says that there are three gateways to hell – lust, anger and greed.

tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ
dvāraṁ nāśanam ātmanaḥ
kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas
tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet

“There are three gates leading to this hell – lust, anger and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul.” Bhagavad Gita 16.21

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s gift

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is an embodiment of ananda (bliss) gave us a simple way to get free from these three gateways to hell and i.e. by chanting the names of Lord Krishna.  Lord Chaitanya has golden complexion, and he attracts all the embodied souls. 

When he started sankirtan in Alarnath then Nityananda Prabhu, his eternal associate, predicted that this sankirtan will spread in every towns and villages all over the world. So, 500 years ago Nityananda Prabhu had prophesised that a great personality will appear and distribute the mercy of holy names all over the world.

And we all know that Nityananda Prabhu was predicting the appearance of Srila Prabhupada and also the establishment of Iskcon.

People think bhakti is difficult. They think that for bhakti we have to do lots of tapasya (penance) and will have to leave many things. But Lord Krishna says that bhakti does not mean that we have to leave things but actually it is to add Krishna in our life.

For example, if people think this is my house, this is my property and I am controller of my house, my wife (or my husband), my children then this is wrong understanding. If someone neglects Krishna and thinks about his home, family, property then it becomes a bondage. So, Rupa and Sanatana Goswami prays to Lord Chaitanya that we are getting immersed in sense gratification, please save us.

Adding Krishna in our life

Brahmaji says brajvasis are so fortunate that they are able to reciprocate with Lord Krishna and they consider Krishna as part of their family.

We have satsanga every Sunday, so that you can add Radha and Krishna in your house. And if there is space available then add Gaur Nitai in your house. If still space is there then add Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladeva and Subhadra Devi in your house. And then if possible, you can add Lord Rama and Mother Sita in your house. And if possible, also add Pancatattva in your house. So, make the Supreme Lord part of your family.

And once we start adding Krishna in our life then automatically other things which is causing us pain will go away automatically. Meaning of Hare Krishna movement is to change lifestyle. As life changes by practicing devotion to Krishna, automatically our life improves. 

But people turn away from Krishna

Once in a train I was chanting in the morning. I was chanting slowly so that my co-passenger who was sleeping is not disturbed. But he was hearing the mahamntra, so he covered himself with blanket. But still he was not able to stop himself getting disturbed. He got up and said, “Let Krishna sleep peacefully in the morning.” In train once I saw an advertisement – Your real friend – gaay

chaap tambako (tobacco). In cigarette pack it is written smoking is injurious to health but still people smoke.

HG Sarbhauma Prabhu says that there are three benefits of smoking cigarette – no thief will enter in the house in the night, dog will not bite you, you will never get old. He explains how this is possible. If you smoke then you will be coughing throughout the night then how the thief will enter your house. Because of coughing you will become weak so you will have to use a stick to walk and if you carry a stick then the dogs won’t bite you. And because you will be diseased you will die young so you will never become old. 

When my father first met HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj then Maharaj asked him what you did? My father said that I was serving in steel plant for 40 years. So, Maharaj said, “Now you start serving Tulsi plant.”

Develop desire to serve Krishna

We cannot serve Krishna with our intelligence. Without the shelter and guidance of great devotees we cannot serve Krishna.

Lord Brahma says to Lord Krishna, “My only desire is that just like brajvasis are always focussed in serving you, so I also want to take birth here in Vrindavan so that I can serve you constantly.”

Meaning of kama is icha (desire). If we have wrong desires and do things for our own selfish motives then we get bound in this world. So, what is the way to change this wrong desire? It is through satsanga.

Patit means, one who knows what to do and what not to do but still he does what he is not supposed to do. Once I was doing kirtan, one person was not clapping his hand although I was asking everyone to clap and chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Later I saw the same person clapping his hand with tobacco in his hand. I asked him, “You were not clapping during kirtan but here you are clapping with tobacco in your hard.” He said do not call it tambako, it is sanjivini buti, the same buti which Hanuman brought. I asked him who told you this.

He said, “My grandfather would read Ramayan and eat tambako and would say that this is sanjivini buti.” We see that how wrong conception people are having in this world, they read scriptures and given their own concocted logic.

Only Bhakti can save us

We see Ajamila had good qualities but seeing a prostitute embracing a man he fell down. He got affected by lusty desire. He tried to control his lusty desire by intelligence but he failed to do so.

He brought that prostitute home, married with her and begot many children but fortunately he named one of his children, Narayan. At the time of death when he saw Yamaduttas, he helplessly called his son’s name which was Narayan and immediately the Visnuduttas came and he was saved from Yamaduttas.  So, Ajamila says to Lord that your name is so glorious that it saved me.

Advertisement of hell

One person died, yamadutas came to take him. But they said that you have two choices – either you can go to heaven or to hell. Since you have done little bit of piety so you can go to heaven for some period. So, tell us where you want to go first – heaven or hell. The person was not aware of hell or heaven. So, he asked them to show both the places. 

So, he was shown heaven. In heaven he saw beautiful gardens, rivers, palaces and people were happy there. Then he was shown hell. In hell he saw dance bars, beer bars, shops selling non vegetarian foods, men and women indulging in immoral activities. 

The person thought it is just like some metropolitan city and this is what I always wanted to do. So, he said, “First I want to go to hell.”  So, he was taken to hell. But as he approached hell, his body was torn apart and he was about to be thrown in a burning oil. Shocked to see all these, he said, “But you showed me something else.”

The Yamaduttas told that was advertisement of hell and the reality is this.  People today are enjoying by indulging in so many sinful activities but they do not know what future awaits them.

What if there is Krishna?

Once one person asked Srila Prabhupada, “What if you come to know at the end your life that there is no Krishna?” Srila Prabhupada said, “Well, we can think that at least we had a good life here. We were always blissful chanting the names of Krishna, dancing in sankirtan, associating with wonderful devotees and enjoying Krishna prasad.”

“But what if you come to know at the end of your life that there is Krishna?” Srila Prabhupada asked. So, Prabhupada would always ask everyone to give up sinful life and chant the names of Krishna.

It is the best time to become devotees as we can get association of so many devotees. By the time Kalki avatar will come, no devotees will be remaining because all the devotees would have gone home Back to Godhead by that time.

When we do sin then we have to atone also. For small sin there is small atonement and for big sin there is big atonement.

Power of holy name

But Hari Naam (holy name of Krishna) is so powerful that it saves us from all the sins – big or small.

Hari Naam is so powerful that although there may be many difficulties in the world but we are able to transcend it. Just like when we fly in an airplane things on the ground looks too tiny, similarly when we raise our consciousness by practicing Krishna Consciousness all the material problems will look insignificant.

Haridas Thakura did not speak about the glories of holy name to the prostitute. But his chanting was so powerful and pure that the prostitute got transformed. And when the prostitute was transformed, he told her to take shelter of Tulsi and chant the names of Krishna.

By taking shelter of the holy name, she became a great devotee endowed with all good qualities. She regularly started serving tulsi, she reduced her eating, she fasted, controlled her senses and chanted attentively. Since she was following the orders of her guru, Haridas Thakura, and practicing bhakti soon love of Krishna manifested in her heart.

She became so pure that many great personalities would come to take her darshan.

When we walk on the road we come across pebbles. Now we have two options – one is to take hammer and crush the pebbles and the other is to wear strong shoes which can protect us from the pebbles. Now how many pebbles can we break? So, the best option is to wear the shoes. Similarly, with how many problems can we fight?

Our mind gets distracted with so many things, there are so many difficulties. So better to take shelter of holy names and protect ourselves from the onslaught of material miseries. Holy name of Krishna i.e. the Hare Krishna mahamntra is the shield of mind and will protect us against any distractions.

Bind Krishna by chanting his holy name

Even maya devi was not able to disturb Haridas Thakura because he was always absorbed in chanting the names of Krishna. When we chant attentively then we get strength to say no to the mind’s wrong demands.

Instead of desiring to enjoy this world, we should desire Krishna. To change kama (iccha), we have to change our desire. In fact pure devotees are able to even control Krishna. Krishna can be controlled only by love. We see how mother Yashoda was able to bind Krishna. 

We can also bind Krishna by chanting his holy name especially the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Krishna sees our efforts and then he gives mercy, just like he gave mercy to mother Yashoda. In the association of devotees we are able to give up kam vasna and we can chant the names of Krishna.

Surrender out of love to Krishna

My friend cringed when he heard that the final instruction of the Bhagavad-gita is to surrender to Krishna wholeheartedly. “Am I a criminal that I should surrender to Him? Better worship a God who is more humble and down-to-earth!”

The word surrender does not usually conjure good images in our mind. As the dictionary confirms, surrender is associated with defeat and despair, and loss of pride and prestige. When an army surrenders to the enemy, it brings disgrace to the nation.

A criminal or a terrorist is forced to surrender because he is a nuisance to the society. In this world we find that the winner becomes arrogant and want to humiliate the loser by forcing him to surrender, while the loser is seeking an opportunity to take revenge and settle scores.

But the surrender that Krishna demands in the Gita is far different from the forced surrender of a loser in life. Selective reading of the Bhagavad-Gita may make us think that Krishna is an egoistic God. Certain verses may sound like the speech of a politician, who while campaigning for election promises the voters to eradicate all sufferings of the people if voted to power.

But Krishna is not a political leader that He wants to increase His number of followers. His call for surrender is not driven by egoistic claims of supremacy; it is actually impelled by His supreme compassion for all living entities.

Panacea for all sufferings

Krishna’ s Godhood does not need our backing as proof. All the Vedic literatures unequivocally declare that Krishna is the supreme. Here are some examples: isvarahparamah Krishna – “Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead” (Brahma-samhita 5.1); Krishna tubhagavansvayam – “Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead” (Bhagavatam 1.3.38).

“Devaki’s son [Krishna] is the Supreme Lord” [Narayana Upanisad (4)]. Even Krishna Himself declares explicitly about His supreme position: mattahparataramnanyatkincidastidhananjaya – “0 conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me” (Bhagavad-Gita 7.7).

 Surrender to Krishna is a beautiful experience and the most wonderful concept in all of creation. It means to genuinely offer our love to Him. Those who are unwilling to surrender to Krishna with love have to surrender to Him at the time of death. Old age, disease and death are the weapons by which powerful time strangulates us.

All great emperors of the world – Alexander, Napolean, Hitler, Aurangzeb – have been swept away into oblivion by the force of time. To the degree we consider ourselves the controller and proprietor of things of this world, to that degree we suffer when we face Krishna in the form of death. That surrender is too painful and immensely horrible.

 On the other hand, if we understand our eternal position as the servant of Krishna and humbly accept it, all our miseries will cease to exist. Krishna immediately takes the devotee under His tutelage.

If we take one step towards Krishna, He takes hundreds of steps towards us. Krishna wants us to be happy and is always ready to shower His love upon us. He promises: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad-Gita (18.66)

Krishna the humblest waiting for us

I wish my friend understood how God, although the greatest person, is simultaneously the most humble. Imagine an employee who works for a multi-millionaire becomes inimical towards his boss and starts disobeying and demeaning him. Will the boss tolerate him?

Strangely Krishna does so; He allows the rebellious souls to rebel against Him, and creates the material world for them, so they can satisfy their gratuitous desires. Krishna tolerates all and patiently waits for the moment these souls will realize their folly and turn towards Him.

Krishna’ s pastimes with His devotees clearly reveal His humility. One time His childhood friend Sudama came to visit Him in Dvaraka, being very poor, Sudama was not dressed properly. His clothes were torn and dirty, and he was emaciated. When Lord Krishna came to know that his friend Sudama has arrived, He immediately rushed out of His palace to receive His friend. He embraced Sudama and made him sit on His own bedstead. He washed Sudama’s feet and personally offered him fruits and drinks.

 Although Krishna belonged to the royal Yadava family, He never forgot His poor brahmana friend. He treated Sudama as His equal.

Krishna is famous as the charioteer of Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra, He didn’t mind taking such a humble position for His devotee although He was God Himself.

Thus, we see that the supreme proprietor, creator and master of the entire cosmic manifestation is eager to serve His devotees and take a secondary role. We rarely find such examples in the history of the world.

In spite of our brazenness Krishna is ready to accept us again and fervently hopes that one day we will return back to the spiritual world, our original home.

The Wonder of Surrender to Krishna

My friend abhors the word surrender because he thinks he is not a criminal. But as lawbreakers of the spiritual world, we too have acted criminally. Fortunately, Lord Krishna is merciful toward us and eagerly wants us to return back to Him.

Surrendering to Krishna, our original father, does not bring us any dishonor. Our surrender to Krishna is like a patient submitting himself to a doctor for treatment or a child taking shelter of his mother.

A patient agrees to abide by the prescription of the doctor for his own benefit; a child experiences love and care on the lap of his mother. Krishna’ s clarion call to surrender is for our salvation.

Not everyone surrenders; Krishna understands this: “After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Bhagavad-gita 7.19)

If we are not with Krishna, we are undoubtedly with maya, Krishna’ s material illusory energy. So either to Krishna or to His material energy, we must surrender. In fact, every day, knowingly or unknowingly, we surrender to the dictum of our mind and senses, to our insatiable desires, to the demands of our bodies, to our lower self, to so many people in our daily life.

My poor friend is a heavy smoker, smoking half a dozen cigarettes daily. He hardly realizes that he has surrendered his life to a life-threatening addiction.

Arjuna’s example

Arjuna was in acute anxiety before the Mahabharata war began, but after hearing Krishna’ s message he completely surrendered to Krishna and thus paved the way for his glorious victory.

Arjuna said: “My dear Krishna, 0 infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.73).

Like Arjuna, there are many examples in history who achieved incredible fame and glory just by following Krishna’ s instructions and the instructions of His devotees. By surrendering to Krishna success is certain in our life; there will be no room for anxieties and miseries.

Surrendering to Krishna opens the door for a blissful and eternal life. “For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuntha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.14.58)”

Lord Krishna is the eternal superstar who never disappoints his fans

Krishna is the only superstar who never disappoints his fans because he is always ready to reciprocate with the feelings of his fans.

In this world, film stars, sports stars, rock stars, politicians, rich and mighty have innumerable fan following. Their fans surround their senses with the images of their beloved stars, decorate their houses with their pictures and keep each and every update of their favourite celebrity.

The unfulfilled desire

They continuously dream to meet their icons at least once in their life. These desperate fans want to touch them, desire to shake hands with them and long to hug them. They even dream to have breakfast/lunch/dinner with them. But sadly, rarely their dreams come true. The reality is that the celebrities rarely care for their fans.

There are many incidents when the fans have been thrashed by the security guards of the stars. Even celebrities sometimes slap their followers. People spend their time, energy and money eulogising their idols; they fiercely defend them when someone speaks some unpalatable words against their favourite luminaries.

But in spite of all their sacrifices, they end up being humiliated and slapped. One of the famous stars who have lakhs of following was seen spitting on his fans when they had assembled in front of his house to just have a glimpse of him.

Krishna always reciprocates with our feelings

Now contrast this with the love which God, Krishna, the creator of this world, bestows upon each living entity.  He descends from his spiritual abode to this material world for you and me. As God, he not just creates and maintains us and this world, but he is always present with us as Paramatma in our heart.  As Paramatma, he constantly reciprocates with our desires. And he eagerly waits when we will have desire to have him. Krishna, never disappoints his devotees.  

When Lord Vishnu ran to save his devotee

Once Lord Vishnu was having his meal and Lakshmi was by his side. Immediately Lord Vishnu got up and started running. Lakshmi was surprised. Then after few minutes Vishnu returned back bit unhappy. Lakshmi asked what had happened. Why did he run frantically and why did he return so soon? Vishnu replied that one person was being attacked by a ferocious tiger and he called my name so I ran to help him. But soon the person forgot me and made his own arrangement.  He does not need me anymore. So, I came back. This is the love of the Lord for his devotees. He is ever ready to be with us when we need him.

Krishna’s love for his devotee, Sudama

When Sudama, an extremely poor brahmana, went to see Krishna then Krishna got up from his gold studded throne and ran to receive him.  Upon seeing Sudama, the lord embraced him. In fact, he was personally fanning Sudama and feeding him delicious food.

Have we seen any example of any famous personality of this world, who is reciprocating with his fan in such an intimate way?

Why not be a fan of Krishna, the eternal superstar?

Stars of this world are mortal beings, they are infinitesimal. Their name and fame stay with them for a limited period of time. But the Supreme Lord is the eternal superstar, and he has tremendous love for us.

Lord Krishna always reciprocates with the feelings of his devotees, he never disappoints them. So why not we become his fan instead of becoming the fans of the lesser mortals who hardly have any respect for our emotions?

In fact, if we take just a single step towards the Supreme Lord then he takes hundreds of steps towards us. He even gives us the knowledge to reach him, “To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.” Bhagavad Gita 10.10

Why Vedas should be part of curriculum?

Vedas is part of Indian history, so why it should not be part of curriculum in schools & colleges?  This ancient literature informs us how India was rich culturally, spiritually and politically. So, to know India in a better way it is important that Vedas be part of curriculum.

The systematic plan to deny Vedic knowledge

Right to education is a fundamental right and it is the duty of the society and the government to make sure that each and every child is educated without any discrimination.  But what if there is discrimination in what knowledge is imparted to the students.   

What if the ideologically driven educationalists do not allow the students to be exposed to various fields of knowledge but instead force them to study only those subject matters which agree with their way of thinking and believing.

This would be considered a gross misuse of power and position. But this policy of knowledge filtration has been going on for ages in India. The British during their rein had made sure that the Indians remain deprived of their rich knowledge and culture.  

They strategically trained scholars who were although Indians but had disregard for Indian culture, society, customs, traditions and holy books. These scholars were given the responsibility of slowly and steadily making Indians believe that their culture, history and knowledge are inferior to that of the west. The purpose was to make sure that the Indians lose faith in the Vedas.

British policy continued even after India achieved independence.  The scholars who were trained to demean Vedic books continued nurturing other sets of scholars who would not allow the knowledge of these scriptures to be made available to all Indians.

They started concocting and misrepresenting these books and came up with doctrines like

• Vedic literatures are unscientific, and it promotes superstitious beliefs.
• Ramayana and Mahabharata are mythology.
• These books divide society and discriminate against women.
• Knowledge imparted by these books are not relevant anymore.

Vedic literatures are the oldest literature of the world.  And it was not written by some unintelligent, illiterate and primitive nomadic people.

Glories of Vedas

Let us gauge the vastness of Vedic literature:

• The 4 Vedas – Rig-veda, Yajur-veda, Sama-veda, and the Atharva-veda–in total had 21, 109, 1000 and 50 branches respectively consisting of over 100, 000 verses. Many of them got lost and today we find around 20, 023 (or according to some 20, 379) verses in all the 4 Vedas.
• There are 18 Puranas and in total they have 400, 000 verses.
• Mahabharata is the world’s largest epic consisting of 110, 000 couplets.
• Ramayana another great epic contains 24, 000 verses. 

And the list isn’t complete; there are many more literary masterpieces such as Brahmanas, Aranyakas , Upanisads, Upa – Vedas and Vedangas etc.

A person with a tinge of intelligence would accept the fact that such a voluminous work cannot be the handiwork of some nomadic and semi – literate people.

The philosophy espoused by these literatures have the potential to change the way we look towards the world and towards other living beings.

Vedic literatures help people to become a better human being

These holy books talk about isvara (God), jiva (the living beings), prakriti (wolrd), karma (actions) and kala (time).

For example, by studying Bhagavad Gita one becomes a better human being. The Gita teaches us about the importance of cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to fault finding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor. Bhagavad Gita 16.1-3

The holy book further informs us that all the living entities in this world are part and parcel of God and so we should see them all with equal vision and should not discriminate against any. (Bhagavad Gita 5.18)

Srila Prabhupada’s role in spreading the teachings of Vedas

But sadly, an Indian does not get the opportunity to study these books in schools and colleges and if someone desires to study them then they are derided. So much is the disdain for the Indian traditional culture, language and custom that in India instead of Sanskrit, which is a native Indian language, in the educational institutions German was being taught.

And when the government tried to include Sanskrit in the educational curriculum then there were fierce opposition from the anti-Vedic brigade who masquerade as liberals in India.  Today Sanskrit as a language has survived because of the mercy of foreign universities. Isn’t it surprising as well as shocking?

Indians in general have deep longing to know about their culture, tradition, language and literature.  And so many Indians have continued to learn about their culture and philosophy from their elders or have tried their best to study on their own.

Many religious and cultural organizations such as ISKCON organize classes on Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic literatures ensuring that not just Indians but people all over the world know the message of these sacred books.

Iskcon has played an important role in spreading the teachings of Vedic literatures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam not just in India but all over the world.

Today, Srila Prabhupada’s commentary on Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam is widely read all over the world. His books have been translated in all the major languages of India and the world.

Give opportunity to learn Vedas by making it part of curriculum

In spite of strong opposition by left intellectuals spiritual leaders like Srila Prabhupada have been working hard to spread the teachings of wisdom literatures for the benefit of humanity.

The time has come that sane man should started opposing those who oppose Vedic literatures.  The tyranny of ideologically driven left liberal academicians should be stopped. Every Indian should have the right to choose what he/she wants to study.

No one should be deprived of that opportunity.  Educational institution in India should not discriminate against Vedic school of thoughts but should allow the younger brains to get exposed to these vast bodies of knowledge.

Government should add Vedas in school curriculum.

Also Read:

What Vedas say about women? They should be honored.

Can we get the mercy of Chaitanya without Nityananda?

When we read the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, we find that only because of the mercy of Lord Nityananda devotees got the mercy of Lord Chaitanya.

Lord Chaitanya who is lovingly called as Nimai and Lord Nityananda who is affectionately called as Nitai are always together.

As fragrance from flower and sweetness from sugar is inseparable so is Nitai inseparable from Nimai. They enjoy each other’s company, appear on earth together and together they perform many pastimes to attract the heart of those who left the beauty of the spiritual world and got caught in this not so happy place.

Nityananda always serves Krishna in different forms

Nitai is none other than Lord Balaram and he enjoys serving Krishna anywhere and everywhere.  

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī explains, “In all the forms He tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Kṛṣṇa. That same Balarāma is Lord Nityānanda, the companion of Lord Gaurasundara.”  Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 5.11

These are the different ways in which Lord Balarama serves Lord Krishna

• As Ananta-Shesha he is the bed of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha.
• As Ananga manjari he assists Srimati Radharani in her amorous pastimes with Krishna.
• As Lakshmana he is ready to do anything and everything for Lord Rama.  
• And in Kaliyuga he accompanies Lord Chaitanya to introduce sankirtan movement to distribute mercy of Krishna to all the living entities without caring and bothering about the recipients’ qualification.

We cannot get the mercy of Radha and Krishna without getting the mercy of Lord Chaitanya, and we cannot get the mercy of Lord Chaitanya without getting the mercy of Lord Nityananda.

Examples of devotees who got mercy of Lord Nityananda

Rupa Goswami (the abhidheya acharya), Sanatana Goswami (the sambandha acharya), Raghunath Das Goswami (the prayojana acharya) who played a very vital role in spearheading bhakti movement got the mercy of Lord Chaitanya through Lord Nityananda.

Chaitanya Bhagavata and Chaitanya-charitamrta, the two most authoritative and authentic biographies of Lord Chaitanya were written by the inspiration of Lord Nityananda.

Nityananda Prabhu ordered his disciple Vrindavana Dasa Thakura to write Sri Caitanya Bhagavata and he appeared in the dream of Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami inspiring him to author Chaitanya-charitamrta.

Upon the instruction of Lord Chaitanya, Nityananda Prabhu and Haridas Thakura were approaching each person beseeching them to chant the names of Krishna.

Mercy of Nityananda on Jagai & Madhai

While distributing the sublime love of Krishna freely they encountered Jagai and Madhai, the two wicked personalities. They were so sinful that pious residents upon seeing them used to bathe in Ganges to get purified from contamination.

But Nityananda Prabhu decided to deliver them too but in return Madhai assaulted him with an earthen pot. Lord Chaitanya upon getting this news became so angry that he called his sudarsan chakra to kill Madhai but Nityananda prabhu begged the Lord to forgive the offender.

In this age of Kaliyuga the Lord is not supposed to kill the sinner but is to kill their sins using the weapon of the holy name.

Seeing the magnanimity of Nityananda Prabhu, Jagai and Madhai surrendered to them giving up all ungodly behaviour and decided to chant the name of Krishna and serve all the Vaisnavas.

Lord Chaitanya is always present at these 4 places:

• At mother Sachi’s house
• At the kirtan of Srivas Pandit
• At the house of Raghav Pandit
• At the place where Lord Nityananda is dancing while performing kirtan.

Taking shelter of Lord Nityananda

And Lord Nityananda is always present where Lord Chaitanya is glorified. So, the best way to please Nityananda Prabhu is by distributing Lord Chaitanya’s message profusely.

Nitai and Nimai freely distributed one way ticket to the spiritual world to everyone. We too can get that ticket if we take shelter of Nityananda prabhu’s lotus feet.

He is so magnanimous that he will surely take us back to the kingdom of Krishna if we are sincere and carry desire to serve the Lord. 

Whether our heart longs for Krishna or wants something else? | Bhagavad Gita 10.10

Have you checked, if your heart longs for Krishna or is still attached to things of this world?

Externally we may dress perfectly, speak expertly, recite shlokas scholarly, sing melodiously but these qualities may not attract the attention of the Lord. Maybe we are doing it to seek people’s attention and self-glorification.

Krishna hardly bothers about our externals instead he directly peeps into our heart to see whether our heart longs for him or it hankers for something else.

When Duryodhana invited Krishna for lunch in his palace then Krishna was not interested because Duryodhana did not have a devotional heart. Duryodhana wanted to make a show of his opulence and gesture.

Krishna preferred to eat at Vidura’s house although Vidura did not offer him lavish food. It was because Vidura and his wife had deep love for Krishna. Lord Rama happily chewed the half – eaten berries offered by Sabari because it was being offered with love. So, we should try to cultivate a devotional heart and deep desire to serve Krishna. 

If we have a desire to genuinely serve Krishna then Krishna who always resides with us in our heart will give us intelligence by which we can swiftly come to him.

This is confirmed by Krishna Bhagavad Gia 10.10: “To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

Check your motive

So, while practicing devotion we should seriously introspect and find out with what motive we are doing any activity. We should see if we have offered our heart to Krishna or still our heart is attached to something else.

Because of our past conditionings it won’t be immediately possible to do everything for the pleasure of Krishna. But we should sincerely try for it and pray to Krishna to purify our heart, so that we always do anything for Krishna’s pleasure.

We need to endeavour hard to cultivate a devotional heart and subsequently give up material hankering. If we do so then gradually our heart will start longing for Krishna and then Krishna will immediately manifest his love within our heart.

Ask Yourself

1. Do you serve Krishna to please Krishna?
2. Or do you have some personal selfish interest while serving Krishna?
3. What steps you are taking to give up your selfish motives while serving Krishna?

Do you always look for glofication?|Bhagavad Gita 16.3

Although we would hesitate to admit it but it’s a fact that more than hunger for food most of us have hunger for glorification. Any activity we do we want to be appreciated for it. And if someone fails to oblige us then we immediately become morose and go to the extent of detesting that individual.

We like to be in the company of those who constantly massage our ego. And we try to orchestrate our life in a way so that we can attract other’s attention.

What they think about me? What will their reaction be if I do this? Is my importance intact or increasing or diminishing? These thoughts continuously occupy our mind. And instead of living for ourselves we become a dancing doll whose key is in other people’s hand.

But the world is such that we would never always continue to be the “centre of attraction.” Someone is going to eclipse us some day. And those who used to play an important role in making us feel important effortlessly shift their loyalty. Our heart cries and we moan in silence but we can do nothing about it.

This is why wise sages in the past have always warned us against running for name and fame. Lord Krishna says the same in Bhagavad Gita.

In Bhagavad Gita 16.3, the Supreme Lord says that one should be “free from passion for honour”, ati-mānitā. This is a divinue attribute, which we should try to cultivate. If we can do so, we can live peacefully. So, we should not be obsessed about what others think or feel about us. It’s a useless endeavour and return is mostly heart breaking.  Instead we should use this life for purification and not for proving our worth to others. In fact, we should not be concerned about our own glorification but instead we should always try to make sure that Krishna is always glorified.

Ask Yourself

1. Do you always think of impressing others?
2. If yes, then are you in control of your life or is your life in other’s control?

What should be the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam?|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.4.2

Have you ever wondered that what should be the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam?

These days we see there are many professional reciters of Srimad Bhagavatam. They may have the ability to sing the verses of Bhagavatam in a poetic way but if they are not the devotees of the Lord then their recitation is of not much value. 

We generally see that such professional reciters like to speak a lot about Krishna’s rasa lila which is given in the tenth canto.

These professional reciters do not show much interest in the first nine cantos and eleventh and twelfth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. But they passionately speak about Krishna’s pastimes with gopis of Vrindavan which is given in the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.

They present it as if it’s like a boy and girl relationship which we see in this world. The gullible audience likes such stories.

But such recitation does not transform the heart of the speaker and the audience. This is why we see so many people know the rasa lila pastime of Krishna, but they never become sincere devotees of Krishna.

After hearing Bhagavatam from professional reciters people continue with their mundane life. They do not develop any taste in chanting the names of Krishna and they do not develop any desire to dedicate their life to Krishna. 

On the other hand, we see that when people hear Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devotees then their heart automatically develops love for Krishna.  And they immediately give up all mundane attachment and get attached to the lotus feet of Krishna.

Two examples

For example, Parikshit Maharaj, relished Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukhadev Goswami continuously for 7 days and 7 nights.  He gave up all worldly attachments and remained absorbed in Krishna Consciousness.

Recently, we have seen that thousands of people dedicated their lives to Krishna after hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from Srila Prabhupada.

Conclusion

So, we should always hear Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devotees of Krishna. In fact, the qualification of the speaker of Srimad Bhagavatam is mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam itself. First qualification is that he should be a devotee of Krishna. And second qualification is that he should have heard Srimad Bhagavatam from a devotee of Krishna. Both are equally important.

For example, the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya chose Suta Goswami to speak about Srimad Bhagavatam because Suta Goswami had directly heard Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami and also, he was a pure devotee of Krishna.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.4.2

śaunaka uvāca

sūta sūta mahā-bhāga

vada no vadatāṁ vara

kathāṁ bhāgavatīṁ puṇyāṁ

yad āha bhagavāñ chukaḥ

Śaunaka said: O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are the most fortunate and respected of all those who can speak and recite. Please relate the pious message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which was spoken by the great and powerful sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Do It and You will give your heart to Krishna

• Read Srila Prabhupada’s commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam daily for at least 30 minutes.
• Hear Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam lectures.
• When possible, visit Iskcon temple and attend morning Srimad Bhagavatam Class.