Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

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

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

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

ŚB 3.25.23

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

Translation

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

Following are few important points from Srila Prabhupada’s lecture

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

Below article is based on the lecture of Srila Prabhupada

State of unhappiness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Suffering is directly proportional to our material attachment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ŚB 11.3.34

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

Translation

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

Important points from the purport of the verse SB 11.3.34

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

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

Believe in God in India is so fragile

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

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

Sadhu in a village

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

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

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

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

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

Great seekers too fail to understand Lord’s personal feature

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

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

Even great seekers are also bewildered.

Prabhupada explains how Supreme Lord is personal

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

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

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

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

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

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

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja’s doubt is cleared

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

Now we know Supreme Lord is personal  

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

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

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

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

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

The most important need of all jivas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ŚB 11.3.33

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

Translation

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

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.33

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

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

After Krishna fulfils his mission

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

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

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

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

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

Krishna plans to disappear with Yadu dynasty

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

So, Yadus were “Burden of love.”

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

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

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

Narada Muni answers to Vasudeva

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

Four questions of Nimi Maharaja and the answer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q3. Third question is about the activities of maya?

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

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

Q4. Fourth question is how to overcome maya?

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

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

Faith in Krishna’s protection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SB 11.3.32

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

Translation

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

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.32

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

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

Devotees faith in Prabhupada gave them Krishna

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prabhupada’s faith in his guru

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SB 11.3.31

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

Translation

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

Important points from the purport of SB 11.3.31

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

Understanding Maya

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

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

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

The 4 questions in 3rd chapter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We have freedom to use our senses as we like

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

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

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

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

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

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

Become dear to near devotees | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.30

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

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

ŚB 11.3.30

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

Translation

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

Below article is based on the class given by prabhuji.

Two story about association

1. The fish eating couple

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

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

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

The good fortune

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

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

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

This is how people get transformed by associating with devotees.

2. Searching a pure devotee in Mayapur

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

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

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

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

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

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

Three principles of association

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maharaja Prataprudra wins the heart of Lord Chaitanya

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3^rd principle – Become dear to near devotees

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

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

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

Objective of Krishna Consciousness movement|Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.21

• Srimad Bhagavatam lecture of Srila Prabhupada at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata
  • Verse Number: SB 3.25.21
  • Lecture date:  21^st Nov 1974
  • Lecture location: Bombay
  • Chapter Name: The Glories of Devotional Service
  • Lecture Link: https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741121sbbom/
• Date/Day:  23^rd May 2025, Friday, Apara Ekadasi

Today we were hearing Srimad Bhagavatam lecture of Srila Prabhupada at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata. In the lecture Prabhupada was emphatically saying that the “objective of Krishna Consciousness movement is to create association of devotees”, so that people get an opportunity to associate with them and perfect their lives. Prabhupada was speaking on the verse SB 3.25.21. 

ŚB 3.25.21

titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ
suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām
ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ
sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ

Translation

“The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.”

Below article is based on the lecture of Srila Prabhupada which we were hearing today in the temple.

Association of a pure devotee

Just like if we eat unhealthy food, we get unhealthy body, similarly, if we associate with people having impure consciousness, our consciousness too gets polluted. Healthy body ensures healthy life and pure consciousness ensures happy life.

This is why scriptures again and again underline the importance of being in saintly association. In good association, our bad habits get corrected. And in bad association, just the opposite happens.

For example, we see students leading a pure life at home, but when he goes to hostel then in the company of those taking alcohol, he too becomes an alcoholic. But it is also true that if an alcoholic begins associating with those leading pure life, then he too can easily give up addiction to alcohol.  And this has happened.

The hippies in America were addicted to sinful life. They were accustomed to intoxication, eating meat and engaging in illicit sex. Their parents and the government of the day had failed to reform them. But then to their great fortune Srila Prabhupada came into their life.

And just by associating with him, they were able to give up all these impure things quite quickly. Not just that they began chanting the names of Krishna and began living a Krishna conscious life.

Even Srimad Bhagavatam, tells that the children of the demons who had no interest in spiritual life began chanting the names of the Lord when they began associating with Prahlada. So, Chaitanya Charitamrta 22.54 says, “‘sādhu-saṅga’, ‘sādhu-saṅga’ — sarva-śāstre kaya/lava-mātra sādhu-saṅge sarva-siddhi haya.”  “The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.”

Do not waste this great opportunity

Devotees of the Lord are great well-wishers. Seeing us suffer in this world, pains their heart. So, they wander around the world to tell us the danger of sinful life and the necessity of bringing Krishna in our life. If we fail to abide by their sagely advice, we are doomed to suffer.

This human life is Lord’s gift to us because it provides us an opportunity to free ourselves from all the sufferings. But, if we waste our life in animalistic propensity of eating, mating, sleeping and defending, then next life we will get an animal body so that we can live like animals.

Srila Prabhupada in the lecture was saying, “..if we simply waste our time like animals—eating, sleeping, sex intercourse and defense—then it is animal life. So especially in this age they cannot distinguish that what is the animal life and what is human life. They think, “The dog, animal, he is sleeping on the street, and I am sleeping on the twentieth floor of a nice apartment. Therefore I am civilized.” The śāstra says no. Either you sleep on the street or on the twenty-fourth story of apartment, you are sleeping. You are not doing any other thing.” 

Let us not try to live like animals but try to uplift our consciousness. If we are serious to save ourselves from all unhappy situations, then we should give up the company of those who are not serious in spiritual life but are just working hard to improve the standards of their material sense gratification.   Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asks all serious devotees to give association of non-devotees – Asat-saṅga-tyāga ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra. 

Prabhupada gifted us association of devotees

By the grace of Srila Prabhupada, today we have an opportunity to continually associate with serious devotees of the Lord all over the world and perfect our life.

Prabhupada says, “…..at the present moment it is very difficult to find out the association of sādhu. Therefore, our teeny effort is, this Krishna consciousness movement, to create an association of the sādhus so people may take advantage of this association, and then his life becomes liberated. And that is the aim and object of this association. It has no other object.”

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu want all of us to get liberated, and understanding the Lord’s heart Srila Prabhupada established Krishna Consciousness movement.

Cultivate friendship with devotees of Krishna|Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.29

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.29
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Date: 22^nd May 2025
• Speaker: HG Nimai Anand Prabhu

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam, class HG Nimai Anand Prabhu talked about the importance of cultivating friendship with devotees of Krishna.

Prabhuji was speaking on SB 11.3.29.

SB 11.3.29

evaṁ kṛṣṇātma-nātheṣu
manuṣyeṣu ca sauhṛdam
paricaryāṁ cobhayatra
mahatsu nṛṣu sādhuṣu

Translation

“One who desires his ultimate self-interest should cultivate friendship with those persons who have accepted Kṛṣṇa as the Lord of their life. One should further develop an attitude of service toward all living beings. One should especially try to help those in the human form of life and, among them, especially those who accept the principles of religious behavior. Among religious persons, one should especially render service to the pure devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

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

Friendship affects our devotion to Krishna

It is said that “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” Man is known by the company he keeps. Today’s purport is very important.

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says here “the highest duty for devotees of the Supreme Lord is to establish friendship with those who have completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and who have thus achieved śaraṇāgati, shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.”

It is the highest duty to establish friendship with devotees. It is very important.

Why is man known by company he keeps? It is because of two reasons

(1) The kind of aspiration one has, one chooses such association so that they can inspire each other for same goal.

(2) Even if one does not have such aspiration but it is just a matter of time that one’s aspiration is transformed in the association.

We see that the entire social media is based on helping people get friends. So, there is option of adding friend. Since, this is the need, so social media is exploiting people.

We need friendship, so choose right kind of friendship.

In one of the classes in Iskcon Minto Park Temple one devotee said a very important thing –

“After Srila Prabhupada left this world, many disciples could not continue practicing devotion in same spirit. So, Iskcon leadership wanted to know the reason so that they can rectify it and the same mistake is not committed again. When research was conducted, it was found that since the devotees did not have a friend whom they could fully open up and reveal their heart, so they faced difficulties in continuing their spiritual life. Since they did not get devotee friends, so they began looking for friends in the outside world.”  

Krishna should be the only goal

HG Acharya Ratan Prabhu in his Srimad Bhagavatam class, gave summary of this chapter very nicely. Prabhuji explained that how Nimi Maharaj began asking questions – How jiva is caught in maya? How to come out of maya? And this becomes possible by the grace of guru. So, now we are reading how to surrender to guru and how to serve guru.

Devotees put all their efforts and talent in Krishna’s service. They do everything which pleases Krishna and spiritual master.

Here in this verse, it is said that “we should have association of those whose only goal is Krishna.” And what to do in that association will come in next verse.

Catuh Shloki Bhagavad Gita

In the catuh sloki Bhagavad Gita Krishna first says, “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.” Bhagavad Gita 10.8

It means “One who understands Krishna that he is the supreme Lord does bhajan.”

In the next verse, Krishna says,  

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam
kathayantaś ca māṁ nityaṁ
tuṣyanti ca ramanti ca

“The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” Bhagavad Gita 10.9

It talks about that how devotees come together and discuss Krishna katha. And while doing so they are satisfied, and they relish Krishna katha.  

But there is qualification required for this which is mentioned in the first line of the verse – mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā. mad citta i.e one whose mind and life is devoted to Krishna. Second line of the verse says, such devotees only goal is Krishna and life is Krishna.

We should have exclusive devotion to Krishna. There should not be any secondary goal. Spiritual master’s goal is Krishna and only Krishna, no other goal.

One question may come?  To develop friendship with exalted devotees is difficult because we may not easily get their association.

Who is a pure devotee?

In one of the lectures, HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja was talking about who is exalted devotee. While making this point Maharaja said that whatever I am going to say please hear carefully. Then Maharaja said, there are two types of pure devotees.

1. One who is completely free from all material desires and have developed love for Krishna

2. And the second type are those whose only goal is to become a pure devotee; he has no second aspiration. He is clear about his goal. Although he may have conditioning but still, he is trying to become a pure devotee.

There may be devotee around us having conditioning but if their goal is Krishna then we should associate with them.

Bhakti lata bija

We should now discuss about the impurities which should be given up while practicing exclusive devotion – ananya bhakti – to Krishna.

Even one who has received bhakti lata bija can get distracted. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu discusses this with Srila Rupa Goswami at Dasamedh ghat.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu first talks about rarity of devotion to Krishna.

He says “There are 8.4 million species in this world, and among them the human form of life is very rare. And those who get human life do not accept scriptures. Those who accept scriptures are mostly practitioners of karma kanda, they do not understand the real purpose of scriptures. Those who understand the real purpose are jnanis but they are only interested in liberation. And amongst crores of such jnanis, to find a real devotee of Krishna is very difficult.”

Then Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says,

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.” CC Madhya 19.151

Some rare soul may achieve such bhakti lata bija.

By Srila Prabhupada’s mercy we have achieved bhakti lata bija. The process which we are following is bhakti lata bija. We have to just water it by sravanam and kirtanam.

Obstacles on the path of bhakti

But as one grows bhakti lata bija, one has to take care of offenses which are compared to mad elephant. Offenses uproot bhakti lata bija. Offenses occur when we become familiar with the devotee. Material familiarity breeds contempt. Remedy is to see devotees’ connection with Krishna. We should never find faults with devotees. Offenses are the first obstacle.

Second Obstacle on the path of bhakti lata bija is explained by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Rupa Goswami. It is in CC Madhya 19.158, 19.159, 19.160.

CC Madhya 19.158

“Sometimes unwanted creepers, such as the creepers of desires for material enjoyment and liberation from the material world, grow along with the creeper of devotional service. The varieties of such unwanted creepers are unlimited.”

By becoming frustrated with material life one’s goal becomes to get free from miseries. But that is not pure devotion. Goal of pure devotion is to only please Krishna, nothing else matters.

CC Madhya 19.159

“Some unnecessary creepers growing with the bhakti creeper are the creepers of behavior unacceptable for those trying to attain perfection, diplomatic behavior, animal-killing, mundane profiteering, mundane adoration and mundane importance. All these are unwanted creepers.”

CC Madhya 19.160

“If one does not distinguish between the bhakti creeper and the other creepers, the sprinkling of water is misused because the other creepers are nourished while the bhakti creeper is curtailed.”

Friendship with devotees will sustain our devotion

Offensive chanting is the water for the unwanted creeper. And sincere chanting is the water to the bhakti lata bija.

Distractions take us away from pure devotional service.

Srila Bhati Vinod Thakura says that “selfishness is the root cause of deviation from pure devotional service.” We should give up this mentality and serve Krishna.  Devotees work hard with this mentality because they know that this will pleases Krishna.

Also, devotees are not motivated by material things but by only spiritual thing. So, in order to motivate devotee, we say Srila Prabhupada wanted this and then devotee gets motivated to do things.

Devotees only want to see Krishna happy and does not care for his own happiness. Even if Krishna gives distress, devotees are not bothered.

We should cultivate friendship with such devotees. If we see devotees are serious, sincere then we should seek their association. Such friendship will sustain our devotion.

Krishna is conquered by the love of his devotees|Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.27-28

• Srimad Bhagavad Class Verse: SB 11.3.27-28
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown,Kolkata
• Speaker: HG Vrindavan Chari Prabhu
• Date: 21st May 2025

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam class, HG Vrindavan Chari Prabhu was saying that “Lord gets conquered by the love of his devotees.”  Prabhuji was speaking on SB 11.3.27-28.

                        ŚB 11.3.27-28                             

śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ dhyānaṁ
harer adbhuta-karmaṇaḥ
janma-karma-guṇānāṁ ca
tad-arthe ’khila-ceṣṭitam

iṣṭaṁ dattaṁ tapo japtaṁ
vṛttaṁ yac cātmanaḥ priyam
dārān sutān gṛhān prāṇān
yat parasmai nivedanam

Translation

“One should hear, glorify and meditate upon the wonderful transcendental activities of the Lord. One should specifically become absorbed in the appearance, activities, qualities and holy names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus inspired, one should perform all of one’s daily activities as an offering to the Lord. One should perform sacrifice, charity and penance exclusively for the Lord’s satisfaction. Similarly, one should chant only those mantras which glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And all one’s religious activities should be performed as an offering to the Lord. Whatever one finds pleasing or enjoyable he should immediately offer to the Supreme Lord, and even his wife, children, home and very life air he should offer at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Below article is based on the class given by HG His Grace Vrindavan Chari Prabhu.

Process of Bhagavad Dharma

We should daily chant minimum 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. This is the most important thing to do. One of the other important vows which we take in our spiritual life is to observe ekadasi vrata and we should always follow it.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that if one does not take to the process of Bhagavad Dharma then one cannot understand the Supreme Lord. To try to understand the Lord with our imperfect senses is impossible.

One should take to this process of Bhagavad Dharma whether one is a sanyasi, brahmachari, vanaprastha or grihasta.

We should throw away all speculative knowledge and try to practice devotion to the Lord in any situations and circumstances. There is a song compiled by Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura where he says,

grihe thako, vane thako, sada ‘hari’ bole’ dako,
sukhe duhkhe bhulo na’ko, vadane hari-nam koro re

“Whether you are a householder or a sannyasi, constantly chant “Hari! Hari!” Do not forget this chanting, whether you are in a happy condition or a distressful one. Just fill your lips with the hari-nama.”

Whatever be your position, you should constantly chant the name of Hari.

The process of hearing the glories of Lord is immensely powerful. Anybody can develop love of God by this process. And everybody is qualified to hear the glories of Lord. It does not depend upon one’s social position. In Iskcon no one asks which caste we belong to.

This is why we see in our temple Srimad Bhagavad Class is given by everyone – sanyasi also gives, brahmachari also gives, vanaprastha also gives and grihasta also gives.

Offer your activities to the Lord

We should perform our daily activities as an offering to the Lord. This is the process given to us. Every morning, we do mangala arati, hear Srimad Bhagavatam and chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. And this every devotee should do whether one is staying in temple or at home.

nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā – hearing daily Srimad Bhagavatam is very important and should be followed by all.

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu
nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā
bhagavaty uttama-śloke
bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

“By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.” Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.18

This is the process of Bhagavad Dharma.

Conquer the Lord by your love

One should become absorbed in chanting the names of the Lord and in hearing the glories of the Lord. We should do service as per our position and all services should be an offering to the Lord.

The devotees are able to conquer the Lord by their love. Non-devotees cannot conquer the Lord because they do not have love for the Lord.

Sanatana Goswami explains how devotees conquer the Lord. Devotees of the Lord, through their words, body and mind conquer the Lord and thus they become perfect in Krishna Consciousness. Such devotees can touch the lotus feet of Krishna with their hands, call him with their words and attain direct guidance in their mind simply by thinking about him.

It is said that it becomes possible to remember the Lord through the mind, speak his glories and render service to him with our body when we become servant of the servant of the devotees of the Lord i.e. when we become “dasanudas”. So, we should always aspire to become a surrendered servant of the Lord.

When one is able to offer all respects to all then one can remember the Lord and serve the Lord constantly.

Lord wants to be conquered by the love of his devotees. And non devotees can never conquer the Lord because they are not engaged in the loving service of the Lord.  

Necessity of taking shelter of Krishna| Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.26

The importance of taking “shelter of Krishna.” This was the focus of today’s (20^th May 2025) Srimad Bhagavatam class which was given by HG Prem Swarup Prabhu at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata. Prabhuji was speaking on SB 11.3.26.

SB 11.3.26

śraddhāṁ bhāgavate śāstre
’nindām anyatra cāpi hi
mano-vāk-karma-daṇḍaṁ ca
satyaṁ śama-damāv api

Translation

“One should have firm faith that he will achieve all success in life by following those scriptures that describe the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān. At the same time, one should avoid blaspheming other scriptures. One should rigidly control his mind, speech and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control.”

Below article is based on the class given by HG Prem Swarup Prabhu.

Understanding Paramhamsas

This chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam is entitled “Liberation from the illusory energy.”  This is possible when we take shelter of a Paramhamsa who is absorbed in Krishna. So, what is the definition of Paramhamsa? Hamsa i.e. swan, if it is given a mixture of milk with water and other substances then hamsa can separate everything from milk and will drink milk only.

Similarly, Paramhamsa can be in this world, where he sees Krishna everywhere. A paramhamsa is not an ordinary hamsa. He can find Krishna in this world at every place. Even living in this material world, he can bring Krishna in focus.

All of us get affected by the modes of material nature, but when we associate with the devotees of the Lord, we become Krishna Conscious. Devotees teach us how to see Krishna and how to engage in Krishna Consciousness while living in any situation.

Srila Prabhupada’s faith in holy name & Srimad Bhagavatam

For example, Srila Prabhupada went to Bowry, Manhattan, USA where no one wanted to go. Even police did not go there. There people used to be drunk, would take LSD and carried a gun. And in drunken state they would shoot from the gun. So, who would go to that crazy land! But Srila Prabhupada went to such a place.

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya

“Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.” CC Madhya 22.107

Srila Prabhupada had full confidence in the holy name of Krishna and in Srimad Bhagavatam.

“On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.” Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.11

Srila Prabhupada says that the literature which describes the glories of the Lord can immediately create revolution. And the testimony is Srila Prabhupada transforming the hippies. Srila Prabhupada chanted for hours together, invited people to chant, gave them prasadam, gave them Srimad Bhagavatam and convinced them to take shelter of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada had full confidence that this is asausadhi (medicine). He did not have any material possessions but only had spiritual possessions. He gave Srimad Bhagavatam and Hare Krishna Maha mantra unfiltered. Although, he had Bengali accent, but all were convinced that this Swamiji has something which is very valuable. And if we start following him then we too can get that precious thing.

Most important principle in Iskcon

When Mahaprabhu asks Ramananda Ray about the object and process of worship then Ramananda Ray first speaks about the system of varnasrama. But Mahaprabhu says, “This is bāhya i.e. external.”

Ramananda Ray then speaks about many things, but Mahaprabhu is not satisfied.

But when he starts talking about chanting then Mahaprabhu says this will work. Mahaprabhu says that other things will make you feel spiritual but those are façade. But when a person develops taste in chanting and hearing in the association of devotees, then that is substantial.

So, foundation of spiritual life is sravanam and kirtanam in the association of devotees. Srila Prabhupada started Iskcon, with this principle and this is how it is being sustained.

Srila Prabhupada says that the literature like Srimad Bhagavatam which glories the Lord is so important for us for sravanam and kirtanam.

When material energy stops harassing us

In this chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam, we are hearing about material energy and its capacity to absorb us 24 by 7, in fact every moment of life, life after life. It is impossible for anyone to come out of this. If you are in the material world there is always disturbance. Srila Prabhupada says when one is drowning in ocean, then can one be peaceful? But someone says that I know swimming.

But in bhavasāgara how long can you swim? However great swimmer you may be, you will lose breadth at some moment.  So, there is so much fear. In this material life, if we deny Krishna then it will give us constant disturbance. Peace comes when we accept Krishna as the enjoyer and proprietor as stated in Bhagavad Gita 5.29. The moment we try to take position of Krishna, police catch us. For example, if someone barge into your house and try to enjoy there then you will call police and get him arrested.

Similarly, when we try to enjoy without connection to Krishna in this world which belongs to Krishna then police catch us. Police of this world is Durga Devi. And she has ten hands and ten weapons. She constantly harasses jivas (living entities) with these weapons who try to enjoy independently from Krishna.

Yesterday I was giving class, and, in the audience, there were elderly people, middle aged and also children. When I asked what you want in life then elderly people said peace, middle aged said peace and one little child also said peace. So, we see everyone is baffled in this world and are looking for peace. I told them if you do not surrender to Krishna then there won’t be peace, but life will be in pieces. So, it is necesary to always remain under the shelter of Krishna.

Be focussed on a specific goal

Whatever we do, maya will baffle us confuse us. I may think, I did hard work, but why this is happening? Material energy has power to create duality. In this world, if you give choice to people, then people will be confused that in which direction to go.

So, in army, they give only one instruction. The moment you give two instructions whole army will split. One group will go this way and the other another way. So, in Bhagavad Gita 2.41, Krishna says,

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām

“Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.”

Suppose that there are mango trees having 100 mangoes. You take 100 stones and try to hit different mango with each stone. You will keep on targeting different mangoes, but nothing will happen. In this way you will waste 40, 50, 60,80 stones without getting any mango.

But suppose that you decide to hit just one mango with 100 stones. Then once you begin hitting then after hitting it with few stones you will come to know that what is the best way to hit the stone to get the mango. And eventually you will get the mango.

Only goal should be to take shelter of Krishna through spiritual master

Srimad Bhagavatam is compared to a ripened fruit.

So, only way to counteract duality is to surrender to Krishna as given in the scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam. Surrendering to Krishna means surrendering to the spiritual master. We should surrender to someone who creates obligation. Srila Prabhupada says spiritual master is a transparent via media. We may have blurred vision.

But through sastra caksu which the spiritual master gives us we can see the Lord. Spiritual master helps us to surrender to Krishna.

Right now, we are busy making people surrender to us and not to Krishna. But our only goal should be to take shelter of Krishna. We should try to cultivate surrender to Krishna carefully as Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita.

“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