Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Make effort for offenseless chanting the names of Krishna|Srimad Bhagavatam 11.03.25

Today (19^th May 2025) in the Srimad Bhagavatam class at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata, HG Maharas Prabhu spoke about the importance of offenseless chanting. Prabhuji was speaking on the verse SB 11.03.25.

Translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam verse 11.03.25

“One should practice meditation by constantly seeing oneself to be an eternal cognizant spirit soul and seeing the Lord to be the absolute controller of everything. To increase one’s meditation, one should live in a secluded place and give up false attachment to one’s home and household paraphernalia. Giving up the decorations of the temporary material body, one should dress himself with scraps of cloth found in rejected places, or with the bark of trees. In this way one should learn to be satisfied in any material situation.”

Below is what prabhuji said in the class.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu saves Sanatana Goswami

One of the senior Iskcon sanyasi said that we dress neat and clean because we have to meet people so that we can preach to them and inspire them. Srila Prabhupada allowed HH Bhakti Swaroop Damodar Swami Maharaja to wear coat and pant because he had to meet scientists and preach them.

Sanatana Goswami was very detached. He was so absorbed in chanting the names of Krishna, that he did not care for touchstone. He was living in Vrindavan, was trained by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Prayag for 2 months. But once something strange happens. He starts feeling that something is missing.

So, he travels to Jagannath Puri to meet Lord Chaitanya. On the way, he drinks contaminated water and because of which he gets disease. His body gets filled with blood and pus. He thinks that since my body has become impure there is no use of this body. So, let be commit suicide and get a fresh body to serve Lord Chaitanya.

In Puri, he meets Lord Chaitanya. The Lord lovingly chastises him. He says to Haridas Thakura, “O Haridas, Sanatana Goswami thinks that his body belongs to him, so he is thinking of committing suicide. He has forgotten that his body now belongs to me.” Mahaprabhu further says, “If one would attain Krishna prem by committing suicide then I would have committed suicide many times. Only way to attain Krishna prem is by chanting the names of Krishna without any offenses.”  Mahaprabhu then sits with Sanatana Goswami and says the same old things which he had already spoken to him earlier in Prayag.

In this age of Kaliyuga, chanting is the only way to attain Krishna. And chanting should be done without offenses.

Three steps to follow to chant the names of Krishna without any offenses

1. Regularly hear from vaisnavas i.e. devotees of Krishna

We see Sanatana Goswami heard from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for 2 months in Prayag. Even though we may know the subject matter, might have heard it many times, may know the slokas, might have read about the same topic in Srila Prabhupada’s books but still we should hear regularly.

2. Blessings of Guru and Vaisnavas

Bhakti without blessing is like phone without sim. The phone without sim is of no use. Similarly without the blessings of devotees especially pure devotees it is not possible to chant without offenses.

Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport of SB 1.8.19, “…Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam asserts that one who chants the holy name of the Lord under the direction of a pure devotee can at once get free from the disadvantages due to a lower-caste birth. A pure devotee of the Lord does not commit any offense while chanting the holy name of the Lord. There are ten different offenses in the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. To chant the holy name under the direction of a pure devotee is offenseless chanting. Offenseless chanting of the holy name of the Lord is transcendental, and therefore such chanting can at once purify one from the effects of all kinds of previous sins. This offenseless chanting indicates that one has fully understood the transcendental nature of the holy name and has thus surrendered unto the Lord.”

The Holy name of the Lord is more powerful than the Lord. We see that when Lord appears then he kills the demons, but the holy name of the Lord purifies the heart of the demons. We should try to endeavor for higher values and try to serve the vaisnvas.

My experience in Iskcon Ujjain

In Iskcon Ujjain temple, I saw how devotees are caring for the vaisnavas. If you need some support and ask, then that is called help. Like asking for a glass of water and getting it. But if you need something and you get it without asking then it is called care. We become experts in getting blessings when we start caring others.

Even though I was going to Iskcon Ujjain for the first time and no one knew me, and I did not know them but still they were continuously asking me what I want. During the next day of my visit during Mangala arati, pujari asked me to come his room at 7:30 am. When I went to his room, he began feeding me mahaprasad a lot. During Tulasi arati, I was sweating. Immediately HH Bhakti Prem Swami Maharaja came to me and asked me to go and stand under the fan. This was care. These people actual know bhakti yoga. I cannot bless them but I was helplessly giving my good wishes to them. They were teaching us how to get blessings of vaisnavas.

3. Applying effort in chanting the names of Krishna

We see in Damodara Lila, rope was two fingers short. One finger indicates effort, and the other finger indicates mercy of Krishna. We have to apply effort to chant the names of Krishna.  

In one of the lectures HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja says, “If one chants attentively then when maya strikes he will not be disturbed. And even if he gets disturbed then it will not remain for long time because holy name will protect him.” But if he has chanted inattentively like while chanting scrolling mobile, reading newspapers etc then he will be disturbed.

Once Bhakti Vinod Thakura was warned to not stay in lodge which was connected to temple. People said that place is haunted by a ghost. But Bhakti Vinod Thakura stayed there. Next morning when people asked him, “Did ghost haunt you?” He said, “Yes, but since I chanted the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, the ghost got delivered.”

He further said that the ghost was a pujari of the temple but because he chanted offensively so he became a ghost. As soon as we apply effort in chanting then it comes to namabhasa stage. Sadhakas i.e the practicing devotees should apply effort to at least come to the stage of namabhasa.

Few practical steps for offenseless chanting:

• Sleep early
• Eat less at night.
• Make sure that the place where we are chanting is neither too comfortable nor too uncomfortable.
• Best to chant in place where everyone is chanting.
• Dealing properly with others: During 2 hours of our chanting, we are offering our consciousness to the Lord. For preparing bhoga, it takes lots of time but offering to the Lord takes just 10 minutes. For example, if the wheat flour has sand particles, then bhoga will have the same. So, the whole day what we have done affects our chanting. Lord Chaitanya says that if one has not criticized any vaisnavas and have chanted then I will take him Back to Godhead. 22 hours of conduct is reflected in 2 hours of our chanting. So, how we are dealing with others is very important.
• Srila Prabhupada says the best place to chant is in dham.
• We should chant at a place where there is illumination and proper ventilation.
• Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura says, “I regularly read the glories of holy name.” He chanted daily 64 rounds or 108 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. And after that he preached also.

Offenseless chanting is the goal of sadhana bhakti.

Three stages of chanting

The three stages of chanting and the destination one achieves in each stage of chanting.

1. Nama-aparadha – At this stage of chanting our material desires gets fulfilled. But one may become a ghost too.
2. Namabhasa  – It is the stage where we start putting our efforts in chanting. One can attain anything from namabhasa stage in this world. One’s material desires gets fulfilled, one can go to heaven and can even go to vaikuntha. Except krishna prem one can get everything.
3. suddha-nama – At the stage of suddha-nama, one gets Krishna prem

At least Namabhasa is in our control and so we can apply effort for that.

Purpose of life is to cultivate Krishna Consciousness| Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Prabhavishnu Prabhu| Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.38

In his Srimad Bhagavatam Class at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata, HG Prabhavishnu Prabhu said, “The purpose of life is to cultivate Krishna Consciousness.” Prabhuji who is a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada and has served as Governing Body Commission (GBC) visited Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 28^th March 2025.

He has been preaching Krishna Consciousness in different parts of the world for last several decades.

He gave class on Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.38.

avidyamāno ’py avabhāti hi dvayo
dhyātur dhiyā svapna-manorathau yathā
tat karma-saṅkalpa-vikalpakaṁ mano
budho nirundhyād abhayaṁ tataḥ syāt

“Although the duality of the material world does not ultimately exist, the conditioned soul experiences it as real under the influence of his own conditioned intelligence. This imaginary experience of a world separate from Kṛṣṇa can be compared to the acts of dreaming and desiring. When the conditioned soul dreams at night of something desirable or horrible, or when he daydreams of what he would like to have or avoid, he creates a reality that has no existence beyond his own imagination. The tendency of the mind is to accept and reject various activities based on sense gratification. Therefore an intelligent person should control the mind, restricting it from the illusion of seeing things separate from Kṛṣṇa, and when the mind is thus controlled he will experience actual fearlessness.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.38

During his class prabhuji shared many pastimes of Srila Prabhupada and also how he came to Krishna Consciousness.

Below is what prabhuji said during the Srimad Bhagavatam Class  

Focus should be on Krishna

In this verse, Kavi Mahara is responding to the question of Nimi Maharaj.

This is the essential topic of Srimad Bhagavatam. Devotional service is eternal bhakti. Somehow or other we have fallen in the ocean of birth and death.

And because of forgetting Krishna, we are prone to sinful life and we turn our attention to dangerous material objects.

We see that so much energy is spent in making arrangement for comfortable living in this world. We accumulate assets, money, property, furniture and many other paraphernalia. In this way our attachment becomes strong to our house and things of this world.  

Then we have offsprings and offsprings of offsprings and we get attached to them. But in Krishna Consciousness focus is on Krishna – in chanting his names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and hearing his glories. Our purpose of life is to cultivate and develop bhakti.

Using opulence in the service of Krishna

One can use wealth in the service of Krisna. Even a poor person can be Krishna Conscious and if he is Krishna Conscious then even if he is poor, he is not troubled.

When we were in Kheturi Dham, the birthplace of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, we saw people living a simple life. They were walking around barefoot. They were simple farmers leading a simple life. We are not able to do so. We travel in airplanes, motorcars, live in airconditioned rooms and so on.

Srila Prabhupada when he got opulence he used it in the service of Krishna. When he was living in Radha Damodar temple in Vrindavan, he lived a very simple life. Srila Prabhupada would say that I had only Rs 40 but now Krishna has given by Rs 40 crores.

When Srila Prabhupada first came to Bhaktivedanta Manor (an Iskcon Temple) in United Kingdom then he came by helicopter which was arranged by Shyamsundar Prabhu. Referring to his disciples, he would say that I have so many sons and daughters around the world. Prabhupada’s disciples would take care of him very nicely.

Prabhuji shared how Beatles helped in spreading Krishna Consciousness

Beatles made album on Hare Krishna Mahamantra which became a hit. They also made album on the vaisnav song bhajahū re mana śrī-nanda-nandana/
abhaya-caraṇāravinda rehe re man and govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami. govindam adi-purusham tam aham bhajami song sung by Yamuna Mataji is daily played in the morning in all the Iskcon temples around the world.

Because of these albums devotees got famous and they were invited for kirtan and different programs.  They were invited on TV shows. In one of the TV shows in United Kingdom, devotees were invited to perform kirtan. But as per the format of the TV show when the songs were to be performed some young ladies dressed in mini skirt would come and dance.

But when devotees came to know about this they refused to perform. When the organizers learnt about this, they immediately brought some clothes, and these ladies wrapped it around their body like saris. And then the devotees performed the song.

Srila Prabhupada always encouraged devotees to do something big. If you do not succeed, then no problem but if you succeed then it will be great.

Prabhuji shared few pastimes of Srila Prabhupada

Once Srila Prabhupada was walking in a park in UK. He asked one of his disciples to pluck a twig from a tree. Prabhupada would use twig to clean his teeth. When the devotee went to pluck the twig, one British came and said you cannot take the twig from the tree. Prabhupada commented that these British has taken so much from India but are not allowing us to even take a twig.

Once while on a morning walk devotees were chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. One person sleeping on the footpath got up and shouted at the devotees. Prabhupada looked at him calmy and greeted him. The person who was very angry immediately calmed down and greeted Prabhupada and the devotees. Srila Prabhupada had peaceful and pleasing personality.

In UK, Prabhupada would be speaking to many influential people like political leaders, scientists, historians, sportsperson but with whoever he spoke he was always preaching Krishna Consciousness and injecting Krishna Consciousness in them.

Cause of Fear & Attaining freedom from fear|Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaja at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata|S.B. 11.2.37

On 27^th March 2025, HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj visited Iskcon Newtown Kolkata and spoke ealborately on “root cause of fear” and how to free ourselves from all fear. Maharaj was speaking on Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.37 verse.  Let us see what Maharaj said about the “cause of fear” and the solution he talked about.

Below article is based on HH Bhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj’s class.

bhayaṁ dvitīyābhiniveśataḥ syād
īśād apetasya viparyayo ’smṛtiḥ
tan-māyayāto budha ābhajet taṁ
bhaktyaikayeśaṁ guru-devatātmā

“Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the living entity thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as a servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called māyā. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotional service of the Lord, under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, whom he should accept as his worshipable deity and as his very life and soul.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.2.37

This verse is quoted quite often by Srila Prabhupada especially the first line. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura, spoke on the first verse of Srimad Bhagavatam daily for 30 days and explained it in different ways. His talk was generally 2 hours long.

Fear at every step

The subject of today’s verse revolves around fear, the cause of fear, and attaining freedom from fear.

We learn from this verse that fear is intrinsic characteristic of material living. Suffering is intrinsic to material existence – duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam, Bhagavad Gita 8.15. Everything in this world is miserable and temporary.

There is a good example, I used to give. While living in England, I would see some birds, black birds. They would be sitting on the grass looking inside the hole for little worms. And at the same time, they would be moving their head here and there thinking some living beings like cat can come and catch them.

Fear is typical characteristic of material condition.

“Abhay” means without fear. Its possible to be without fear.

“bhajahū re mana śrī-nanda-nandana
abhaya-caraṇāravinda re”

It is by taking shelter of the lotus feet of Nanda Nandana. Krishna is fearless. In this world there is fear at every step – padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadām.

At every step in this world there is danger. We may not feel but you may slip and fall down suddenly, bomb could drop at any moment, or you could be attacked while you are walking down on the streets.

Its common in America to be attacked. In America they prefer daytime to attack and in United Kingdom they attack in the night. I had this experience in youth when some people jumped up and started beating me. The world is full of fear.

Why there is fear? Because in this world everyone is turning away from Krishna.

Desire frustrates us

In this material world everyone is born with a desire to enjoy separately from Krishna. And this itself is envy, nastiness. We are envious of Krishna, so we are envious of everyone.

In the course of fulfilling our desire, we become competitive and when our desires are not fulfilled, we become frustrated. We cannot enjoy independent from Krishna. In liberated stage one is friendly. But in the conditioned state it is opposite.

Here, we have opposite way of thinking. Instead of thinking good of others, we think bad. Instead of having good will towards others, we have bad feelings towards others.

But in the liberated state we desire benefit of others.

Taking pleasure in giving pain

Krishna is the dominator, Krishna is the Supreme Controller, all others are servants. Krishna is suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ, Bhagavad Gita 5.29. He is the best well-wisher of all. Srila Prabhupada once explained su-hridya means heart and soul friend. Krishna is friend of all living beings. In material world we have the nature of dominating others. Then we have person like Hiranyakasipu who takes pleasure in giving pain to others. Although for social intercourse, we greet others – we say “Hello” or “Hi” – but everyone is envious. That was seen in nazi Germany.

In western Europe and also in Russia nazi factor looms large. Normal German people would round up Jews and torture them and kill them. There were many such instances. We may think we are not doing anything like this but by the power of bad association, we may become like that.

How one becomes so cruel? An experiment in a school

In 1970, there was one experiment done in a school in USA. The teacher was teaching how cruel nazis were. How they were taking pleasure in torturing Jews and killing them. They were doing all sorts of biological experiments upon Jews. At the end of the class students asked how can ordinary people become like that and get involved in such crimes?  So, the teacher started a psychological experiment.

Next day when he came to the class, he said that in the class we should have discipline. You should follow me what I say to follow. And in 5 days he made them his fanatical follower.  Then the teacher said that this is not just confined to the classroom but it’s a nationwide movement. I will show you a video to prove this. He also gave the option that those who want to leave the class, they can leave but they have to suffer in the exam, they may fail too. Some students left the class, but many remained. And then the teacher showed the video of Hitler.

And Hitler was speaking emphatically. In fact, Hitler was a great motivational speaker. And after watching the video of Hitler the students understood that they are also going into that mood i.e. the mood of Hitler.

In fact, it is difficult to become good but easy to become bad especially in Kaliyuga.

Another cause for fear

We inflict harm on others. Be careful of nice people! They are nice but they are eating meat. They do not think that animals were slaughtered for them to have protein boost. One gets huge karmic reaction for killing animals. In India today lakhs of chickens are killed daily because most people like to eat flesh.

There is another reason why there is fear because at the back of the mind we know we will get reaction for bad things we are doing, and we cannot escape.

Srila Prabhupada says that people in India are generally afraid of meat eating and illicit sex.

People do not know laws of God, so they invent their own laws.

Solution for all our problems is in..

One of the purposes of Krishna Consciousness movement is to make people fearful of doing wrong things. By doing wrong they cause suffering to others and invite themselves tremendous suffering. Such people are fools and rascals.

Foolish because one does not know laws of God and rascal because they think they can get away with it.

India has best culture. But Indians are most foolish because they are following degraded western culture.

We should promote reading of books like Srimad Bhagavatam and ask people to follow it. Preach what is there in the book and not anything else.

In Bangladesh, one person, asked a teacher, “Should we follow you or whatever is there in the book.?” It’s so bad. Those who have understood the essence of sastra will act accordingly and will teach according to the sastra.

People like nice gurus because they say what we like to hear. Such gurus are popular. But sadhus should tell you that you are in a dangerous situation. Now you have got this human body, so you have an opportunity to go back to godhead.

People are committing so many sins daily that they will have to suffer for many lifetimes. People do not know this so Vyasadeva compiled Srimad Bhagavatam. By devotional service to God, we can become free from all the anarthas. People do not know, so Vyasdeva gave Srimad Bhagavatam. Speak on this, let people know the truth.

Solution to all problems (including fear) is in Srimad Bhagavatam.

At the end of the class, Maharaj said, “Your Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga is very beautiful.”

Why Nityananda Prabhu comes to Bengal (Gaud Desa)?

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Nityananda Prabhu to shower his mercy upon Bengal. On receiving this order left Puri and came to Bengal to spread Krishna Consciousness. And it is because of the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu that devotion for Krishna spread in Bengal and today we see lakhs of devotees of Krishna in Bengal.  

HG Atul Krishna Prabhu was in Iskcon Newtown Kolkata and he beautifully described how Nityananda Prabhu received the instruction from Mahaprabhu. And how he immediately left Puri for Bengal to inundate it with love of Krishna.

The article is based on the class given by HG Atul Krishna Prabhu on the occasion of Nityananda Trayodasi on Feb 10, 2025.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asks Nityananda Prabhu to go to Bengal (Gaud Desa)

Every year the devotees were coming from Bengal to Jagannath Puri. That’s why Mahaprabhu was living in Jagannath Puri because of his accessibility to Gauda Desa.

Nityananda Prabhu accompanied Gaursundar on his journey to Jagannath Puri. He also wanted to accompany him on his South India tour.  He (Nityananda Prabhu) was making his case to Mahaprabhu, “Overwhelmed with love of God you will fall down on the path, then who will look after you? Who will look after your kamandalu, mala and your set of clothes. I will accompany you. I know all the paths of South India.”  But Mahaprabhu did not accept that proposition because he was upset with Nityananda Prabhu.

Because at the first opportunity Nityananda Prabhu got to touch the (sannyas) danda  of Mahaprabhu, he broke it into three pieces.  Mahaprabhu was not very satisfied and for that reason he entered Jagannath Puri alone.

Now he wanted to tour the holy places of South India alone, so that he could properly perform the regulations of sannyas.

When Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannath Puri from South India tour, the devotees from Bengal came. The devotees remained for four months performing ratra yatra with Gaur Sundar in Puri. Nityananda Prabhu also remained in Jagannath Puri.  And then Mahaprabhu said to Nityananda Prabhu, “Go to Gaud Desa.”

Mahaprabhu was concerned about Bengal

You all are very fortunate because you have taken birth in Gaud Desa.  Prabhupada says this is the most important place in the universe. You are doing seva in Prabhupada’s janma sthan, you are so fortunate.  

Mahaprabhu has special affinity for Gaud Desa. He said to the Kurma Brahman, “yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa/āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 7.128

“You deliver everyone you see. You tell them about Krishna. You deliver everyone in this way.” Mahaprabhu said this wherever he went. He gave this order to all the residents, all the household brahmans and not just to Kurma Brahman. So, in this way Mahaprabhu ordered everybody that wherever you are, you preach.

And in addition to that, he was still concerned with Bengal. So, he sent his most intimate, most dear, his first expansion, Nityananda Prabhu to Bengal.

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ
bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

“Let me offer my obeisances unto Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who has manifested Himself in five as a devotee, expansion of a devotee, incarnation of a devotee, pure devotee and devotional energy.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.6

Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy at Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata

Nityananda Prabhu received order from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to travel and preach and deliver Bengal.  So, I like to come here (Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata) because how happy he is seeing the development of preaching in Gaud Desa.

Practically speaking we neglected Kolkata for first few decades. Prabhupada came and established first temple Sri Sri Radha Govinda in Minto Park in Kolkata. And then we were busy in Mayapur development.

Actually, Mayapur means world delivery.  But delivering Bengal that actually has to be strategically organized from this mandir (Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata). That’s why Nityananda has appeared here. That’s why I’m attracted to come.

Let us establish Prabhupada in Kolkata and we deliver Kolkata, then all Bengal will follow. No doubt. Both Paschim Bengal and Purva Bengal will be delivered. It is so important to preach in Kolkata.

Prabhupada is blessing you! Every time I come; I see development, I see construction, bricks here and there, earth movers, everything going on. It’s so exciting.

This is happening because you have Doyal Nitai. It’s all his mercy. He wants this. It is his desire. He is so much in the mood of preaching.

Without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu we cannot attain Radha Krishna

His mood is that he is kind to the most fallen.  So, we all have a chance. He’s particularly kind to the fallen, the idiots, the fools, so we have a chance.

“Nitaiyer karuna hobe, Braje Radha Krishna pabe.”  “When you receive Nitai’s karuna, only then you would get Radha-Krishna in Vraj.”

Without the mercy of Lord Nityananda, it is not possible to attain Radha Krishna.   So how important is this day which we are observing today and so many devotees have come.

Nityananda Prabhu gathered his 12 associates, there were many associates, the 12 were pradhan, all were accompanying Nityananda Prabhu and were going to Gaud Desa.

Nityananda Prabhu first came to Panihati

Nityananda Prabhu first travelled to Panihati and he remained in Panihati for three months and Vrindavan Das Thakura explains that the pastimes that Nitai Gosai performed in half an hour in Panihati cannot be described in 100 years.  He was so active in his dissemination of Krishna Consciousness because Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had ordered.

Wonderful relationship between Nityananda Prabhu and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

We were discussing the relationship between Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu. They have a relationship; it should be understood. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu considers Nityananda Prabhu, his elder brother.

And Nityananda Prabhu says Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is my master. This is the mood of Nityananda Prabhu. He is totally absorbed in the service of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and is always fulfilling his order.

In Kirtan, in Srivas Angan, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was swooning in love of God, Nityananda Prabhu would be there to hold Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. They’re constantly together. We are worshiping them together as they are distributing love of godhead together. And they are dancing together ecstatically and continuously as nitya kirtan is going on.

Was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu angry with Mukunda Dutta during Mahaprakash Lila?

During Mahaprakash lila, it looked as if Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is angry with Mukunda Dutta. But was the Lord really angry with Mukunda Dutta? Or was he trying to show something else to the world?

Let us try to find out.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Mahaprakash lila went on for 21 hours – whole day and night. And during the course of time, Lord Chaitanya called all devotees and explained to them about the association he had with them in previous life and also in this life.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu does not invite Mukunda Dutta

During Mahaprakash Lila, Lord Chaitanya had called everyone, but he had not call one devotee. Srivasa Thakura approaches Lord Chaitanya and says that you have forgotten one person, Mukunda Dutta. So, could you please call Mukunda?

But Lord Chaitanya said, “I am not going to call Mukunda. In fact, I never want to see Mukunda ever.”  Srivasa was shocked because Mukunda was well known among the devotees, he was very popular.

So, he asks Lord Chaitanya what is the problem?  And Lord Chaitanya says, “He is a hypocrite. He seems like being a nice devotee. He is very friendly with all the devotees and is a nice kirtan singer. But he is still a hypocrite. Whoever he associates with, he agrees with them. He associates Mayavadis and when Mayavadis say everything is one, he agrees with them and says, “Yes, everything is one.” And he then associates with Shaivites and when Shaivites say, “Shiva tu bhagavan swayam,” Mukunda says, “Yes, Har Har Mahadev.”  And he then associates with worshipper of Durga Devi and when they say, “Durga tu bhagavan swayam,” Mukunda says, “Jai Jai mataji.” So, he is a hypocrite. He is not fixed in consciousness. So, I do not want to see him ever.”

Lord Chaitanya further says Mukunda is like a person who approaches you with a nice flower and says take it and in other hand he has a club which he keeps behind.  You take the flower from him and think it’s nice but suddenly he takes out the club and hits your hand. So, I do not want to see him.

Mukunda Dutta explains why he behaves in this way

Srivasa Thakura went outside and told everything to Mukunda what Lord Chaitanya had said.

Lord Chaitanya was inside the house and Mukunda was in courtyard.  When Mukunda Dutta heard, he was broken hearted. He said to Srivasa Thakura about his situation.

I live in extended family, there are all types of people in my family – Durga worshippers, Shiva worshippers, Murugan worshippers and so on. I will end up non-stop fighting with them if I argue. So, when someone says everyone is one, I say, “yes”, and then I say Lord Chaitanya is also God. What to do? If I do not do this then it’s impossible to live with these people. Please explain this to Lord.

Srivasa went in and he told Lord Chaitanya that Mukunda has said few things, so he wants to share those points. The Lord said if you mention his name, you will not see me again. It looked as if Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was angry with Mukunda Dutta. But Srivasa Thakura said, “Please hear at least once.”

Mukunda can see Lord after one million lifetimes

So, he explained what Mukunda said to Lord Chaitanya. Mahaprabhu said, “Alright. You can go and tell Mukunda that he can see me after one million lifetimes.”

Srivasa Thakura went and told this to Mukunda. And when Mukunda Dutta heard that he can see Lord Chaitanya after one million lifetimes, he became ecstatic saying, “I will see him.” 

He began singing and dancing and rolling on ground in joy. Lord Chaitanya who was sitting inside the house heard all the commotion. He asked Srivasa what is going on?  Srivasa Thakura said, “Its Mukunda. He is extremely happy knowing that he can see you after one million lifetimes. He has gone wild in ecstasy.”

Lord Chaitanya then said bring him now. So, Srivasa Thakura brought Mukunda in. And Lord Chaitanya spoke to him nicely like father speaking to son. Mukunda offered prayers to Lord Chaitanya.

Blessings one gets by hearing Mukunda’s prayer

There are two blessings one gets by hearing the prayer offered by Mukunda Dutta to Lord Chaitanya.

1. Anyone who hears prayer of Mukunda will sing with him.

2. Anyone who feels happiness hearing this narration will certainly meet Lord Chaitanya face to face.

Lord Chaitanya said that actually I was playing little game with you. I did not really mean what I said. So, he then told Mukunda wherever I will appear you will appear with me. And you will sing for me wherever I am.

So, the first blessing that “anyone hears Mukunda’s prayer will sing with Mukunda” means he will sing with Lord Chaitanya.

Important lesson for us

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was not angry with Mukunda Dutta. Through this pastime Lord wanted to teach us few lessons.

1. Do not become a Shaivite. Just stay vaisnvav because although Shiva is nice, but he is not Krishna.
2. Practice devotion to Krishna with determination but also have patience like Mukunda Dutta.

What happens to the washerman who offends Krishna in Mathura?

During Mahaprakash lila, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told the story of the washerman who offends Krishna in Mathura. This pastime of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was beautifully explained by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj during his Chaitanya Charitamrita class at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata.

Below article is based on the class given by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj at Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata on 27^th Feb 2025.

During Mahaprakash Lila, Lord Chaitanya was appreciating that Mukunda has some devotion. In order to make point about the importance of devotion in the life of a devotee, Lord Chaitanya referred to the pastimes of Krishna when he entered Mathura, his pastime with the washerman.  

Washerman offends Krishna when Krishna asks for clothes

Lord Chaitanya said that when Krishna entered Mathura, he met washerman and washerman was carrying basket full of laundry belonging to Kamsa. And Lord Krishna said look at these nice clothes, would you not like to give some to us which is suitable for us.

Washerman became arrogant and said, “These are the king’s clothes and who are you. You are just little boys of forest. So, if you want some clothes, go into forest, take some leaves and tree barks and put some clothes.” This was a deliberate insult.

Krishna did not like this and did not say anything more. He just slapped the man on the face. And the man’s head fell down. That was the end of washerman for the time being. Actually, we do not even know what happened to him from that point on. So, Lord Chaitanya describes this in course of Mahaprakash lila.

This is described in Chaitanya Bhagavata that Lord Chaitanya tells devotees that the washerman had performed austerities for millions of lifetimes to see God. But then he got to see God, there in Mathura, he saw Krishna. But then when he saw Krishna, because he had no bhakti he offended Krishna.

And then Lord Chaitanya did not say more about washerman.

Lesson for us – we should not commit offenses.

You do not know with whom you are associating ! 

One time Srila Prabhupada was giving class in Bhaktivedanta Manor (United Kingdom). I was there at that time and Srila Prabhupada was talking how you must be careful how you deal with people and devotees. And Srila Prabhupada said that you do not know who the person sitting next to me.

You may be sitting next to Narada Muni.

Better to be more respectful than less respectful. We do not know whether washerman got another chance and fell down completely. This is an important lesson for us to consider as aspiring devotees.

We have to be tolerant, patient and never ever try to say anything which is disrespectful to anyone.

Conclusion

Many people say that they will believe in God only when they will see God. The washerman saw Krishna, Kamsa saw Krishna, Duryodhana saw Krishna but still they did not understand who Krishna is. Simply by seeing God does not mean that we will know God.

To know God, it is important that our heart is purified of all the impurities. Once our heart becomes pure then automatically love for Krishna will manifest in it and then whether we see God or not see God we will always remain absorbed in thoughts of Krishna, the Supreme God.

In this age of Kaliyuga, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given the way by which we can connect to God and that is by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Develop taste in Krishna Katha

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

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

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

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

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

Few qualities of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

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

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

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

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

Below is what Maharaj said in his lecture

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

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

Who can be God?

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

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

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

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

Mahaprabhu’s colour & exquisite beauty

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s taking sannyasa is interesting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mahaprabhu in Benares

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

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

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

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

Mahaprabhu loves sankirtan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu likes to do sankirtan, chant holy names.

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

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

What Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked Ramananda Ray?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Mahaprabhu associated with Gadadhara Pandit?

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning program in the temple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abhishek of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga

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

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

After abhishek there was a drama performed by the devotees.

Gaur Katha by HH Subhag Swami Maharaj

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

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

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

This year let us invite Krishna to reside in our heart

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

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

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

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

Few examples

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

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

Soul cannot be desireless

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

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

Medicine for the sleeping souls

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

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

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