Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Nityananda Trayodasi celebration at Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata

Nityananda Trayodasi i.e. the appearance day of Lord Nityananda was celebrated with fanfare at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 22nd Feb 2024. Program included special darshan of the Lord, grand abhishek, Nityananda katha, kirtan, arati and delicious prasadam. 

Devotees throng to temple to take darshan of Lord Nityananda

The presiding deity of the temple, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga were beautifully and gorgeously dressed. 

Lord Nityananda in blue colour on his appearance day looked beautiful. Several devotees since morning started visiting the temple to take darshan of the Lord and seek his blessings.

Acharyas explain that Lord Nityananda is the most merciful incarnation of the Supreme Lord. He showers his mercy even upon most fallen person. In this age of Kaliyuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, everyone is most fallen. And because of our impure consciousness we commit many sins. And this is why we are always miserable.

Lord Nityananda appeared in this world for people like you and me who are most fallen. In spite of our degraded consciousness, even if we show little sincerity and plead Nityananda Prabhu for his mercy then he will immediately give his shelter to us.

He will free us from all the sins. He will free us from material bondage. And most importantly, he will give us Krishna prema.

“Simply by talking of Nityānanda Prabhu one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa. Thus all his bodily limbs are agitated by ecstasy, and tears flow from his eyes like the waters of the Ganges.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 8.23

As it was Nityananda Trayodasi, so, it was the best day for all the devotees to pray for the mercy of Lord Nityananda. 

On this auspicious occasion, devotees were fortunate to get the association of HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj and HH Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj.

Nitai Mora (My Nitai) Song

In the morning, Srimad Bhagavatam class was given by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj. Maharaj began his class with a heart touching Vaisnav song (Nitai Mora (My Nitai) Song) which extolls the glories of Lord Nityananda. 

“He (Lord Nityananda) does not consider who is poor, or fallen or troubled. Who is not like that? To every person He gives the gift of ecstatic spiritual love”

Lord Nityananda appeared in 1474 almost 550 years ago in Ekachakra dham. He appeared about 12 years before Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In the class Maharaj elaborately discussed the reason for the appearance of Lord Nityananda and the different inconceivable pastimes of the Lord.

HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj speaks about the glories of Lord Nityananda

This is what Maharaj said:

During the incident when Lord Chaitanya was about to kill Jagai and Madhai, Lord Nityananda said give them to me. Lord Chaitanya said if you really want to forgive Madhai then embrace him. And then your forgiveness will be fruitful.

Lord Nityananda tightly embraced Madhai & in this way Madhai became free from material bondage. And by the touch of Lord Nityananda, Madhai attained all spiritual potency.

Lord Chaitanya is patitpavan i.e. deliverer of fallen. This is his identify. We often ask people, what do you do? Some say, I am doctor or engineer or lawyer.  Similarly, Lord Chaitanya’s occupation is that “he is patitpavan.“

Lord Nityananda is even more merciful than Lord Chaitanya

One of the six symptoms of surrender is to accept the mission of Lord as your mission. This is what Lord Nityananda did. Lord Chaitanya was about to kill Jagai and Madhai. They would have been cut to pieces by the Lord’s Sudarshan chakra. But Lord Nityananda saved them.

So, Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura makes the point that Lord Nityananda has accepted the identity of patitpavan even more than Lord Chaitanya has because Lord Chaitanya was prepared to kill Jagai and Madhai but Lord Nityananda saved them.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura further says that Lord Nityananda is more one with Lord Chaitanya than Lord Chaitanya is one with himself. As a devotee of Lord Chaitanya, he has accepted the mission of the Lord.

It is said that demon who Lord Rama might kill, Lord Krishna might spare his life. That demon who Lord Krishna might kill, Lord Chaitanya may spare his life kill. And that demon who Lord Chaitanya might kill, Lord Nityananda will not just spare his life but also give him Krishna prema.

Lord Nityananda is an incredible person in so many ways. He is extremely merciful and it is inconceivable.”

Nityananda Prabhu’s instructions of Madhai

Maharaj further quoting Chaitanya Bhagavat said that although Madhai was forgiven but he felt bad because he had hit Lord Nityananda Prabhu with a pot. And because of this blood had started coming out from the forehead of Lord Nityananda.  So, he was feeling miserable from inside.

One day he approached Lord Nityananda and prayed to the Lord saying that how degraded he is and how merciful the Lord is. He said to the Lord that “Your body is so soft that Lord Chaitanya takes rest on it. By remembering your transcendental body, one attains salvation. But I am so sinful that I attacked you.”

Saying these words, tears started coming out from the eyes of Madhai. Lord Nityananda immediately consoled him and said that you are like a child to me. Sometimes a small child hits his father but father does not become offended. So, I am not at all offended.

And then Lord Nityananda said that you should always chant the names of Krishna i.e. the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, never commit any sins again and to serve the devotees you build a ghat. Madhai followed all the instructions of Lord Nityananda. He built a ghat and that ghat came to be known as Madhai Ghat.

Lord Nityananda is our only hope. He transformed the heart of Madhai. So, if we take his shelter then he will transform our heart too.

On the auspicious occasion of Nityananda Trayodasi devotees were again and again praying to the lord for his mercy.  

Abhishek of Lord Nityananda

In the evening the program began at 5 pm with the abhishek of Nitai Gauranga deity.

Throughout the day devotees kept on thronging the temple. Hundreds of devotees came to attend the evening program which started at 5 pm. For the evening program a beautiful pandal was built. Evening program started with the abhishek of the Lord.

For the abhishek, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga deities were taken on palki from temple to the pandal where abhishek was to be held. Palki procession was accompanied with dancing kirtan. Throughout the procession devotees were showering flower petals on the Lord, fanning the deities with chamar and were blowing conch shells.

Abhishek started with the arati of the Lord with nine pista lamps. First sandalwood oil was applied to the Lord which was followed by til paste. After that the two deities were bathed with sacred items like milk, curd,ghee, gomoy, gomutra, honey, sugar candy water, kusa grass water, fruit juices like green grapes, black grapes, watermelon and pomegranate, sugar cane juice, kesar water, rose water, coconut water, sarvausadhi, mahausadhi, pancapuspa jal and flower petals.

Devotees’ experience mercy of Lord Nityananda

After the abhishek, there was Nityananda katha by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj Devotees were also blessed to have the association of HH Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj on Nityananda Trayodasi. Maharaj beautifully spoke about the glories of Lord Nityananda.

After the katha there was Gaur Arati in which everyone enthusiastically participated. Devotees joyfully sang and danced for the pleasure of the Lord.  

Program concluded with delicious prasadam for all the devotees who came for the program.

Everyone felt blessed and happy and experienced mercy of Lord Nityananda on this auspicious day of Nityananda Trayodasi.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.79,16-18| Lord Balarama teaches us what to do in the holy places

Lord Balarama personally teaches us all what to do when we visit the holy places.

When Mahabharat war was about to take place then Lord Balarama decided not to take side of the Pandavas or the Kauravas.  Instead, he decided to travel to holy places. Generally, people go on pilgrimage to purify themselves and attain freedom from sins.

But Lord Balarama is the first expansion of Krishna, he is free from all sins. In fact, by taking his shelter people become free of all the sins.  Then what was the need for him to go to these holy places? 

Lord Balarama is Adi guru, the first spiritual master. And the spiritual master teaches many important lessons to the people by his personal example.

So, by visiting the dhams (holy places) Lord Balarama is teaching us the necessity of going on pilgrimage.

But it is not just about going to these holy places, but it is also equally important to know what to do when we are in these sacred places.

Three activities of Lord Balarama

We see that Lord Balarama primarily did three things in dhams.

1. He took bath in the holy rivers.

He bathed in rivers like Kauśikī, Sarayū, Gomatī, Gaṇḍakī, Vipāśā, Śoṇa,Ganges,Veṇā,Pampā, Bhīmarathī, Kāverī and in the seven branches of the Godāvarī River. He also went to to Prayāga.

2. He gave charity

At Rāmeśvaram, he gave ten thousand cows to brāhmaṇas in charity.

3. He associated with the saintly people

During his pilgrimage he met great sages like Pulaha Ṛṣi & Agastya Ṛṣi. He offered prayers to Agastya Ṛṣi and got blessings from the great sage.

Conclusion

So, Lord Balarama teaches us what activities we should do when we are in the holy places

Following the footsteps of Lord Balarama, we should also take out time to visit holy places. And also perform above three activities which will purify us from the sins and take us closer to Krishna.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.79,16-18

“There at Setubandha [Rāmeśvaram] Lord Halāyudha gave brāhmaṇas ten thousand cows in charity. He then visited the Kṛtamālā and Tāmraparṇī rivers and the great Malaya Mountains. In the Malaya range Lord Balarāma found Agastya Ṛṣi sitting in meditation. After bowing down to the sage, the Lord offered him prayers and then received blessings from him. Taking leave from Agastya, He proceeded to the shore of the southern ocean, where He saw Goddess Durgā in her form of Kanyā-kumārī. Next He went to Phālguna-tīrtha and bathed in the sacred Pañcāpsarā Lake, where Lord Viṣṇu had directly manifested Himself. At this place He gave away another ten thousand cows.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.79,16-18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.47.21|Śrī Advaita Ācārya teaches “Our only desire should be to serve Krishna”

In the kingdom of Krishna everyone always carry the desire to serve Krishna. And we also see that Krishna too loves to serve his devotees. 

If we read scriptures and the life of great devotees, we find that they carry only one desire in their heart and their desire is to become servant of Krishna. What to talk about the pure devotees, even the first expansion of the Supreme Lord, Lord Balarama, wants to become a humble servant of Krishna.

Śrī Advaita Ācārya considers himself a servant

In Chaitanya lila, we see that Śrī Advaita Ācārya always considered himself a servant of Lord Chaitanya.

When Lord Chaitanya appeared then Śrī Advaita Ācārya was 60 years old, old enough to be grandfather of Lord Chaitanya. And so, Lord Caitanya would give him respect. But Śrī Advaita Ācārya did not like this.  So, once he enacted a pastime and he started preaching Mayavada philosophy.

When Lord Caitanya heard about this, he became extremely angry, and he started beating Śrī Advaita Ācārya. Śrī Advaita Ācārya wife, Srimati Sita Thakurani started begging Lord Caitanya to stop beating an elderly person else he will die.

But Śrī Advaita Ācārya was enjoying it. He wanted to convey to the whole world that see although Lord Caitanya considers me an acharya and gives me respect but actually Lord Caitanya is the real acharya and we all should serve him.

Śrī Advaita Ācārya thinks, “Lord Caitanya considers Me His spiritual master, yet I feel Myself to be only His servant.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta,Ai-līlā, 6.52

Śrī Advaita Ācārya is an incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu and Sadasiva. He came here to propagate pure devotion to Krishna and to teach us that our only goal of life should be to always serve Krishna.

Cultivating desire to serve Krishna

Even in Vrindavan we see that mood is of servitorship. Everyone wants to serve Krishna – Nanda Maharaja, Mother Yashoda, gopis, gopas, cows, peacocks, river Yamuna, in fact everyone serves Krishna.  

The gopis would always consider themselves as Krishna’s maidservants.

“O Uddhava! It is indeed regrettable that Kṛṣṇa resides in Mathurā. Does He remember His father’s household affairs and His friends, the cowherd boys? O great soul! Does He ever talk about us, His maidservants? When will He lay on our heads His aguru-scented hand?” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Bhāgavata Purāṇa) 10.47.21

In this this world we see that everyone wants to become masters but in the kingdom of Krishnan everyone wants to serve Krishna. There no one wants to enjoy with Krishna but everyone wants to give joy to Krishna. And while doing so they experiences unlimited bliss.

Today is the appearance day of Śrī Advaita Ācārya. Let us pray at his lotus feet to purify our heart and give us benediction so that we also cultivate the desire to always serve Krishna’s lotus feet.

Note: This article is based on the Srimad Bhagavatam class given by HG Acharya Ratna Prabhu @Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata on 16th Feb 2024 on the auspicious occassion of Śrī Advaita Ācārya appearance day.

The three different mercies of Lord Balarama

Lord Balarama bestows upon us three different mercies which helps us to get the shelter of Krishna.

Lord Balarama is Adi Guru, the first guru.  A guru is one who shows the right path to his disciples for his ultimate benefit.  Our ultimate benefit is to get connected to Krishna and return back to the kingdom of Krishna.

Sincere devotees who want to return back to the kingdom of Krishna face different challenges in their spiritual journey.  But if we take shelter of Lord Balarama then he mercifully removes obstacles which is preventing us to attain Krishna.

Let us reflect upon the three mercies of Lord Balarama.

Three mercies of Lord Balarama

He removes ignorance from our heart

In ignorance, we think that we can be happy away from Krishna. And unfortunately, we think that we can be happy in this world with tons of material desires in our heart.  These material desires rarely get fulfilled. And even if it gets fulfilled it never satisfies our heart.  

So, Lord Balarama as guru enlightens us with spiritual knowledge making us understand that our attachment to material desires is the greatest cause of our suffering. And so, we should give it up immediately and start cultivating spiritual desire in our heart.  Once we start doing so, we start seeing that our miseries slowly start disappearing.

He makes our heart fertile making it suitable for the seed of bhakti to fructify

Have we ever thought that why Lord Balarama carries plough with him? We never see him tilling the land. But still, he carries a plough. What could be the reason behind this?

Acharyas explain that Lord Balaram carries plough to make our heart fertile which is a barren field now. He not just makes our heart fertile, but he also sows the seed of bhakti in our heart. In our fertile heart devoid of material desires the seed of bhakti fructifies quickly giving us great bliss.

He removes anarthas which prevents us from practicing devotion to Krishna sincerely

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that lust, anger and greed are the gateway to hell. These 3 anarthas are the greatest stumbling block in our spiritual journey.  And Krishna says that we should get rid of this as soon as possible.

tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ

dvāraṁ nāśanam ātmanaḥ

kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas

tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet

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

We have been in this material creation of the Lord since time immemorial gratifying our senses. And because of this these 3 anarthas are deep rooted in our heart. And to uproot it we need Lord Balarama, who is the first expansion of Krishna. 

He has the capability to free us from these anathas. Once our heart is free from lust, anger and greed, we can then start practicing devotion to Krishna with great enthusiasm.

Begging for Lord Balaram’s shelter

So, let us pray to Lord Balarama and seek his mercy so that he removes our ignorance and grants us freedom from anarthas (vices) so that we can sincerely, seriously and enthusiastically practice devotion to Krishna and ultimately attain the lotus feet of Krishna.   

The great gift of holy name by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

In this fallen age of Kaliyuga, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given us the gift of holy name which gives us relief from all the miseries. Anyone can take shelter of the holy name.

And whoever takes shelter of the holy names soon becomes free from all sinful reactions and attain happiness. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu again and again has highlighted the importance of taking shelter of holy name.

In Prayag, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu demonstrated how great the holy name is by giving the example of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrī Vallabha [Anupama Mallika].

Wonderful effect of chanting the holy names of Krishna

Once when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was in Prayag, Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa, who was a great learned scholar, came to meet him. Rūpa Gosvāmī and Śrī Vallabha [Anupama Mallika] were also present there. The two brothers offered obeisances to Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa.

But when Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa tried to go near the two brothers, both of them ran away to a distant place.

Rūpa Gosvāmī said, “I am untouchable and sinful. Please do not touch me.”

When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, he smiled and said, “Yes, do not go near to them or touch them because they belong to a low caste, and you are learned scholar.”  Vallabh Bhatta being a devotee of the Lord immediately understood what Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is trying to say. He also understood that the Supreme Lord is testing him.

He immediately said, “I see these two brothers always chanting the names of Krishna, so, how can they be fallen or untouchable. In fact, in my opinion which is also collaborated by the sastras they are even greater than the brahmanas.”  

Vallabha Bhaṭṭācārya then recited the following verse: “ My dear Lord, one who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and may therefore, by material calculation, be the lowest among men, he is still glorious. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord. It is therefore concluded that one who chants the holy name of the Lord should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. He has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, he has studied all the Vedas, and he is actually an Āryan.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.72

Burning all the sinful reactions

When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, he was very pleased. He immediately quoted the scriptures wherein it is mentioned that one who begins to take shelter of all merciful Supreme Lord and chant his names then he immediately transcends all material designations.

Holy name burns his all past sinful reactions, he becomes pure and glorious. But if a person is born in a brahmana family and is a learned Vedic scholar but if he not practicing devotion to Krishna and not chanting his names then such a birth or knowledge is of no use.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “A person who has the pure characteristics of a brāhmaṇa due to devotional service, which is like a blazing fire burning to ashes all the sinful reactions of past lives, is certainly saved from the consequences of sinful acts, such as taking birth in a lower family. Even though he may be born in a family of dog-eaters, he is recognized by learned scholars. But although a person may be a learned scholar in Vedic knowledge, he is not recognized if he is an atheist.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.74

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu further says.

“For a person devoid of devotional service, birth in a great family or nation, knowledge of the revealed scriptures, performance of austerities and penance, and chanting of Vedic mantras are all like ornaments on a dead body. Such ornaments simply serve the concocted pleasures of the general populace.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.75

Krishna never discriminates

We all are children of Krishna. And each one of us has a right to get connected to our spiritual father. Krishna does not discriminate amongst his children. This is why he is always present as Paramatma in the heart of all living entities.

As Paramatma, he is in the heart of a brahmana, kshatriya, Vaisya, sudra, animals, plants, ants, insects. So, if Krishna treats everyone equally then why we the lesser mortals should discriminate others? 

Holy name transforms lives of thousands of people all over the world

How fortunate we are that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave us the shelter of the holy name which gives complete perfection! And also established that anyone can chant the holy names of Krishna.

Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 says that if we surrender to him then we will attain freedom from all sins and fear.  The same Krishna comes as Lord Chaitanya to teach us how to surrender to him. And that is by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. This is the medicine for the age of Kaliyuga.

harer nāma harer nāma

harer nāmaiva kevalam

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva

nāsty eva gatir anyathā

“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 6.242

In Chaitanya Charitamrita, we see how thousands of people including the most sinful Jagai and Madhai got transformed by taking shelter of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the holy names.

Srila Prabhupada carried the Mahamantra and distributed it freely all over the world. It created a great revolution.  People irrespective of caste, creed, colour, nationality came together to chant the names of Krishna. Holy name empowered them to give up all sinful habits, they became pure and dedicated their lives to serve Krishna forever.  

Holy name bestows upon us eternal happiness

This shows how effective the holy name of Krishna is. It works for everyone. Anyone who chants it sincerely starts experiencing bliss. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has bestowed upon us great benediction by gifting us the holy name of Krishna.

If the whole world starts following his teachings and chant the names of Krishna, then everyone will be free from all fear and miseries. 

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says that we should not get bogged down with material pains, pleasures and prestige because these things keep on coming and going as long as we are living in this world.  

Instead of that we should constantly devote our life in chanting the names of Krishna – kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ.

If we do so, we will never be unhappy but always be happy even in this life. And will return back to our original spiritual home after we leave this world.

Bhagavad Gita teaches how to give up bad habit

Bhagavad Gita teaches us how to give up bad habit in an effective way. The holy books say it is by developing higher taste – paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate

viṣayā vinivartante
nirāhārasya dehinaḥ
rasa-varjaṁ raso ’py asya
paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate

Bhagavad Gita 2.59

Though the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.

Let us see how to apply it in life.

Do not focus on the bad habit which you want to give up

For example, if you have the habit of smoking cigarette daily then do not continuously think about giving up smoking. If you keep on thinking about giving up smoking, cursing yourself for this bad habit, then it means that your mind will be always flooded with the thoughts of smoking. And then your mind will force you to again smoke and you will end up smoking.  

Similarly, if you have a habit of wasting time on internet watching movies then do not keep on thinking about giving up watching internet.

Solution

So, what is the Solution?

Cultivate higher taste:

But what does it mean? It means to choose a better alternative. For that you will have to set a goal in your life. Like, growing in your job or if you are a student then how to gain expertise in a subject which you like the most. And focus on that.

If you focus on these positive things, then automatically lower thoughts like smoking or wasting time on internet won’t trouble you.

Spiritualise your mind

Also, make a routine to read 5 verses of Bhagavad Gita daily. It won’t take more than 15 minutes. And chant one round of Hare Krishna Mahamantra which takes around 6-7 minutes.

Bhagavad Gita wisdom will enlighten you; chanting will purify your thoughts.

And all these steps will eventually help you to give up the bad habit which is making you unhappy daily.

Assault of sadhus in West Bengal’s Purulia. Why it’s happening again and again?

The recent incident of assault of three sadhus in Bengal’s Purulia on January 12, 2024, shows how the sadhus have become soft target for the miscreants. People have still not forgotten how a mob killed sadhus in Palghar, Maharashtra.

This incident was also like Palghar. The assault happened in Purulia when the sadhus were on the way to Gangasagar for a holy bath on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.

The reason for assault of sadhus in Purulia

As per the media reports, while on the way the sadhus asked three girls in Purulia who were going to Kali temple for something. But due to language problem the girls thought that these sadhus were following them. They informed the local people about these sadhus.

The locals thought that these sadhus are “kidnappers in disguise” and they are threating the girls. They caught the sadhus and forcibly took them to Durga temple. There these sadhus were mercilessly assaulted, stripped naked and their vehicle was vandalised. Fortunately, some sane man informed the police.

Fortunately lives are saved

The police immediately intervened and the life of the three holy men were saved. The video of the assault of sadhus in Bengal’s Purulia has been widely shared. It is so painful to see the three elderly sadhus wearing saffron robes being beaten by the mob. One of the sadhus is being stripped naked. It is so disgusting. It is so difficult to watch the video. 

From the video we can easily see that how people have become so cruel. People are assaulting and others are shamelessly watching. They do not have any fear of the law. The incident was similar to Maharashtra’s Palghar incident. In Palghar too the locals falsely accused the holy men as kidnappers and killed them.

But in Palghar the police were mute spectator but to the credit of the police, in Purulia they came and saved the lives of the sadhus. 12 people have been arrested in connection to the incident.

There was a time when the sadhus were revered in India but these days due to systematic brainwashing these holy men are looked with suspicion.

Why assault on Hinduism?

In TVs and movies, it is common to see men wearing tilak and saffron robes indulging in immoral activities. Making fun of Hindu culture and faith have become so common in TV serials and movies that now a days people just overlook it. And this has emboldened those who have an agenda to demean Hinduism. 

The movie Annapoorani tests the tolerance of Hindus

For example, the makers of the movie Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food went to such an extent that they started propagating that Lord Rama ate meat. It has already been clarified by many learned Vedic scholars that Lord Rama never ate meat.

But still people driven by agenda are misinterpreting Sanskrit text and trying to say that Lord Rama ate meat. After facing severe backlash Netflix was forced to remove the movie from its platform.

Co-producers of the movie, Zee Studios tendered an apology, “We have no intentions as co-producers of the film to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and Brahmins community and would like to hereby apologise for the inconvenience caused and hurt caused to the sentiments of the respective communities. (sic)”

But while making the movie, did the writer, director, actor, producer not think that they are playing with the sentiments of the Hindus? Or was it just an experiment to test to what extent they can go to hurt the sentiments of the Hindus.

Also, the movie is now available on YouTube. Will the makers of the movie remove the controversial content of the movie from You Tube too?

Distorting the Vedic scriptures, playing with the sentiments of the Hindus should stop immediately.

The government whether at centre or at state should take cognizance of these instances and make sure that unsocial elements should not be allowed to disturb the harmony in the society.

The reason why Krishna comes again and again

If we turn the pages of history, we will find that the government would be very careful in ensuring that the religious principles remained enforced.

The righteous rulers would consider the holy men who would dedicate their lives in the service of God as a valuable asset to the society. These men of God were protected and nicely cared.

Even the Supreme Lord expects us to live as per the codes given in the sastras. So, they appear again and again to educate us about this.

Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita tells us why he comes to this world. He says,

yadā yadā hi dharmasya

glānir bhavati bhārata

abhyutthānam adharmasya

tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” Bhagavad Gita 4.7

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge

“To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.” Bhagavad Gita 4.8

So, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in this world to protect the righteous, punish the unrighteous and to establish religious principle.

This is why when Arjuna was not willing to fight the war then Krishna insisted that being a warrior it is his duty to protect those who are on the path of dharma. It is his responsibility to punish the evil.

Maharaj Parikshit about the duty of the king or ruler

In Srimad Bhagavatam we find that Maharaj Parikshit followed the path of his grandfather, Arjuna. As a king, he would punish those who would commit any crime. His mission was to make sure that every citizen is living as per the injunctions of the scriptures.

Maharaj Parikshit explicates the duties of a king (or a ruler) as follows.

• “…the king’s good name, duration of life and good rebirth vanish when all kinds of living beings are terrified by miscreants in his kingdom. It is certainly the prime duty of the king to subdue first the sufferings of those who suffer…” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.10-11
• “Whoever causes offenseless living beings to suffer must fear me anywhere and everywhere in the world. By curbing dishonest miscreants, one automatically benefits the offenseless.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.14
• “An upstart living being who commits offenses by torturing those who are offenseless shall be directly uprooted by me, even though he be a denizen of heaven with armor and decorations.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.15
• “The supreme duty of the ruling king is to give all protection to law-abiding persons and to chastise those who stray from the ordinances of the scriptures in ordinary times, when there is no emergency.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.16

Set an example by punishing the miscreants

India is the holiest country because here appeared Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. In this land of Bharatvarsa, the Supreme Lord should always be glorified and those who chant and glorify their names should be honoured, respected and protected.

In this holy land of India, the government’s responsibility at the centre or at the state is to protect the holy men and holy women. The assault of three sadhus in Bengal’s Purulia is a grim reminder that the unsocial elements do not fear law. They think that they can get away with it even after commiting such crimes.

So, the government should ensure that those who assaulted the sadhus should be severely punished. It is not so difficult to identify the culprits because there are many videos of the assault.

The punishment should set an example so that in future no miscreants should dare to harm harmless holy men and holy women.

Only holy name of Krishna can help in this dark age of Kali Yuga

Scriptures say that in this age of Kali Yuga only chanting the holy name of Krishna can solve all our miseries. Let us see how.

In previous ages, all the sacrifices had to be done very carefully.  So, earlier one referee priest was there to point out the mistake.  

In this fallen age of Kaliyuga, there’s no such priest available who can understand whether the sacrifice is going perfect or not. Also, to get the ingredients is very difficult. We can’t even get pure dalda, so what to speak of pure ghee.

And earlier, when the kings used to do these sacrifices, they would give so much money in charity. Now who can spend so much money to satisfy everyone. And tons of ghee were required for the sacrifice.

Holy Name gives us Krishna prem

We have one verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.52

kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ
tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ
dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ
kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt

This verse says, people lived for one lakh years in Satya Yuga. So, 50,000 years they would perform their duties according to Varnashrama and then 50,000 years they would spend in meditation.

We can’t even sit for a few minutes, so how will we perform deep meditation. Also, our lives are very short.

The kings would do costly sacrifices very reverentially and very perfectly. That’s very difficult in this Kaliyuga.

In Dvapara Yuga, it was by worshiping the moorti of the Lord, the Sri arcā-vigraha. They would build big temples of marbles coated with gold. And they would have very beautiful deities with real gold jewellery and diamonds and rubies.

We saw all the invaders came, smashed our temples, looted all the jewelleries and everything else. Even now in Kaliyuga, we read sometimes the police have found even the pujari stealing the jewellery of the deity. So, this is also very difficult in Kaliyuga.

Prabhupada told us don’t put a real gold and silver just to attract the thieves. So that’s all very difficult.

So, Srimad Bhagavatam says, kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt. Whatever result one got in Satya-yuga by meditation, Tretā-yuga by performing sacrifices (yajna), Dvāpara-yuga by archa vigraha puja, same result (kalu tad,) can be achieved, even better result, by this harinam sankirtana.

By harinam we will get krishna prem, higher than even getting puruṣārthas (dharma,artha,kama and moksha). Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, premā pumartho mahān – to achieve love of Godhead is the highest perfection of life.

No qualification required for chanting holy name

We know people perform dharma in order to get lots of money (artha) and then they enjoy their senses (kama) and then they try for moksa (liberation). But beyond that is Krishna prem.

There is a verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51

kaler doṣa-nidhe rājann
asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ
kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya
mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet

Nidhi means ocean. So, this Kaliyuga is ocean of faults. O King this Kaliyuga is ocean of faults, asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ  (still there’s one great quality). How is that possible? When there’s ocean of faults, maybe some tiny little good quality could come up.

But it says mahān guṇaḥ, there’s one great quality of this Kaliyuga, kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya/ mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet, that simply by Krishna kirtan, not kali kirtan, Shiva kirtan,  mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet, we will go to braj, we will get braj prem, that is the real fruit of chanting hare krishna mantra.

So, in this Kali yuga, all the different types of sacrifices are not recommended.

It is recommended that one chant the holy name of Krishna.

We have heard there’s no hard and fast rules. And then we wonder then why are we following four regular principles if there’s no hard and fast rules? Not like that. Hard and fast rules are generally there for desa-kala-patra.

But it doesn’t matter whether you’re qualified or unqualified, any place, any time, you can chant the Holy Name. Anywhere, any person can chant.

For sacrifices, there were qualified brahmanas. Also, Vedic mantras can only be chanted by the brahmans.  

But for chanting, no qualification.  Doesn’t matter who you are. You may be a sudra, you may be anything you allowed to chant this holy name of Krishna. That type of no rules and regulations.

Only medicine in Kali Yuga is the holy name

So, it is stressed in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, 6.242

harer nāma harer nāma

harer nāmaiva kevalam

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva

nāsty eva gatir anyathā

Three times it says – harer nāma, harer nāma, harer nāma. Simply by chanting, simply by chanting, simply by chanting, the holy name, eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā, there’s no other process, there’s no other process, no other process, no other process in this age.

People immediately get upset, why are you so narrow minded? Why only chanting Hare Krishna? You are narrow-minded. No, this is intelligence. Just like, if we’re suffering from some disease, do we go to the medical shop and say, “I’m sick give me some medicine.”

“What medicine you want?”

“Well, they’re all nice medicines, give me any medicine.”

Do we do that? No.

First, we go to the doctor. He finds out what we’re suffering from.  Then he recommends a particular medicine for that disease. Just like, suppose that I’m suffering from diabetes. 

Children they really don’t like to take medicine, so what do they do they put a lot of sugar. They coat it with sugar, or they mix a lot of sugar in the medicine so that the children will take their medicine.

But for me that medicine will be poison if I’m suffering from diabetes. That medicine is a good medicine, approved by the government, recommended by doctors, but for me, it will be poison. I have to take the medicine as per my disease.

So, one tiny little word is in this sloka – kalau – that we’re all suffering from this disease of Kali Yuga. So, in this Kali yuga, Jnana, Dhyan, Karma will not work. Only chanting the holy name of Krishna will help us in this dark age of Kali Yuga.  

How my appreciation for Srila Prabhupada increased after meeting one of the prominent religious leaders of India?

Recently I got an opportunity to meet one of the prominent religious leaders of India and after meeting him my appreciation for Srila Prabhupada increased. 

When I was invited to meet him then I was little tensed thinking that he is such a great figure so I should carry myself properly.

I prepared myself to meet him

I thought that when I will meet him then he will discuss spiritual subject matters. He may ask some questions also. So, I thought that let me prepare myself properly. For that, I read a few pages from Srimad Bhagavatam and one Back to Godhead (BTG) article of Srila Prabhupada.

I was thinking that I should not look like someone who is from Iskcon but is not conversant with spiritual subject matters.

For gift, I took Bhagavad Gita, Lord Narasimhadeva Dev lamination and New Year Calendar which had many pictures of Krishna. Since he is an Indian religious leader, so I took Hindi Bhagavad Gita.

I went to meet him in the late evening. As soon as I entered the room, I bowed down to him. There were few of his disciples and few other guests also in the room.

The person who had invited me to meet him asked me to sit in the front, but I decided to be at the back. I wanted to listen to him.

When I came, he was already speaking to few of the guests. But I was little surprised because what he was speaking was not spiritual subject matter, but it was politics. I thought maybe he might be answering someone’s query, so he is talking politics. 

But 10 minutes passed and still he was talking about politics. He was discussing what the previous leaders did, what the present leader is doing and not doing.

Only politics, no bhakti

I do not remember the exact question, but one of the guests asked him how to attain God. And he said God can be attained by bhakti. I was happy to hear it. I thought now he will speak something more on this. He did.

But what he spoke shattered me. He said that you can do anyone’s bhakti – Ram, Krishna, Kali and so on.

Not just that, he further said that someone even becomes chief minister without doing bhakti. I was surprised to hear this. What is the relationship between doing bhakti and becoming chief minister?

And most importantly what was the need of talking about chief minister when someone wants to know bhakti?

While saying this, he took the name of one of the chief ministers of India.

Most of the people like to discuss politics. So, people present there excitedly started talking about the chief minister – what the chief minister does, what he/she says eats, wears and so on.  And several minutes were spent discussing about the chief minister.

After that he quoted a verse from Bhagavad Gita 18.78

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo

yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ

tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir

dhruvā nītir matir mama

In the translation of this verse, Srila Prabhupada gives the meaning of the word nītiḥ as morality.

But he said that nītiḥ means policies. So, according to him the government should make right policies for the citizens.

Although he spoke about Sanatana dharma, but he hardly spoke about dharma. His discussion was only related to politics.

I thought myself to be fortunate

In Iskcon, we have completely different experience. We only discuss Krishna Conscious philosophy, and all the discussions are centred around Krishna or Supreme Lord like Rama, Narasimhadeva. Devotees most of the time discuss Srimad Bhagavatam, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Bhagavad Gita and other books which takes us closer to Krishna.

But everything was missing here. Without Krishna everything appeared dry.

May be these spiritual leaders want to establish Sanatana dharma, they may have good intention, but they have no interest in bhakti.

At that time, I was thinking that how fortunate we are that we got the shelter of Srila Prabhupada. My appreciation for Srila Prabhupada increased.

Prabhupada talked only bhakti, no politics

Prabhupada never talked politics. He was not interested in it. If ever he spoke about it he talked how politics should help people to become devotees of Krishna.

If we see any conversation of Srila Prabhupada, we never find that he is discussing politics with the guests or with his disciples.

Whether Srila Prabhupada met political leaders, philosophers, businessman, scientists, influential personalities, he only spoke about Krishna. He only speaks about bhakti. He always spoke how it is important to practice devotion to Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada taught us how to completely immerse ourselves in bhakti. Not just Srila Prabhupada but all the vaisnav acharyas have taught us the same.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had told to Prabhupada, that political leaders and political situations of the country will keep on changing. One will go other will come.

So, we should not be too much engrossed in it. The real problem is lack of Krishna Consciousness.  And this is what Prabhupada has given to us. And even Prabhupada’s disciples and many senior devotees of Iskcon are giving Krishna to the people all over the world.

He touched Prabhupada’s books, so his heart will change

I gifted him Bhagavad Gita, Lord Narasimhadeva lamination and New Year calendar which had beautiful pictures of Krishna. He took it.  While returning I was thinking I just wasted my time meeting him.

But I remembered that recently, HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, had come to Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata, temple and in the Srimad Bhagavatam class he had said that even if anyone touches Prabhupada’s books he will be benefitted.

So, this religious leader of India touched Prabhupada’s books, touched Lord Narasimhadeva’s lotus feet and looked at the picture of Krishna, so definitely his heart will change.

He is in such a big position, if he understands the importance of dedicating his life in the service of Krishna then by his influence, he can transform the lives of so many people who look up to him and revere him.

Thanking Srila Prabhupada again and again

In the night, while on the bed again and again I was thinking that how much grateful we should be to Srila Prabhupada for giving us Krishna. After meeting this religious leader, my appreciation for Srila Prabhupada multiplied many times.

We should thank him again and again for the gift which he has given to us. It is because of Srila Prabhupada’s grace that today we understood the purpose of our life.

Although I am still miles away in following Prabhupada’s all guidelines but still theoretically, I am clear that the only purpose of life is to give this life to Krishna and to always serve Krishna every moment with mind, body and words.  And instead of thinking about our own happiness, we should always think how to give pleasure to Krishna.

Why Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was requested to write Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta?

Within Gaudiya Sampradaya, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is considered post graduate study of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the essence of all Vedic literatures. It is the commentary on Vedanta sutra by Vedavyāsa.

Srimad Bhagavatam speaks highest truth               

In the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Vedavyāsa rejects all religious rituals which is for material gain, and he directly propagates pure devotion for the Supreme Lord.

“Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are fully pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva [in his maturity], is sufficient in itself for God realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.2

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta begins where Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ends. In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, we get to know how to consistently perform pure devotion to Krishna.

Devotees’ eagerness to know the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya after he took sannyas

500 years back devotees in Vrindavan requested Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī to write Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. They wanted him to describe the life of Lord Chaitanya, his teachings, philosophy, activities and pastimes elaborately.  When this was requested from Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, he was very old.

Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakur had already written Chaitanya Bhagavata, a biography of Lord Chaitanya.

Chaitanya Bhagavata was originally known as Chaitanya Mangala but later the book was renamed as Chaitanya Bhagavata by Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakur.

Srila Prabhupada explained the reason behind this, “Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata was originally entitled Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala, but when Śrīla Locana dāsa Ṭhākura later wrote another book named Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 8.33 Purport

Chaitanya Bhagavata was highly revered. But fearing that the book will become voluminous, Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur did not describe much the latter life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu especially his life after he took sannyas. In Chaitanya Bhagavata, the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya in Jagannath Puri, his Vrindavan and South India Yatra was just summarised.

So, the request was made to Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī to write a book which describes the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya which was not in detail in Chaitanya Bhagavata.

At that time Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was living in Vrindavan Dham. Out of humility, he considered himself unqualified to describe the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya.

What Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī says about describing the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya?

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī had never met Lord Chaitanya or Lord Nityananda. His only connection with Lord Nityananda was that Lord Nityananda appeared in his dream and blessed him to go to Vrindavan.

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī mentions about this in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

“O my dear Kṛṣṇadāsa, do not be afraid. Go to Vṛndāvana, for there you will attain all things. After saying this, He directed me toward Vṛndāvana by waving His hand. Then He disappeared with His associates.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 5.195 – 196

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was full of humility and had completely surrendered to the Lord.

He was a disciple of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. In Vrindavan, he would daily hear from his guru about the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya for hours.

Raghunath Dasa goswami was with Lord Chaitanya in Jagannath Puri. He was serving under Svarupa Damodara. Raghunath Dasa goswami was so humble that he hardly spoke to Lord Chaitanya directly because he thought himself to be unqualified.

He was in Jagannath Puri when Lord Chaitanya departed from this world. Soon after the departure of Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda and Swarup Damodar left the world.  

After their departure Raghunath Dasa goswami came to Vrindavan.  In Vrindavan, he would narrate the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya for the pleasure of all the devotees.

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī says that Lord Ananta, with his unlimited mouths cannot describe the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya which he performed in one day. And even Ganesha would not be able to write the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya in millions of years.

What is inconceivable to Krishna?

In this material world, everything is bound by the limitation of time and space but not in the spiritual world. In the spiritual world everything is inconceivable. Although Krishna is cause of all causes, everything comes from him but still love of Radha for him is inconceivable.

So, Krishna comes to this world to experience what is inconceivable to him i.e. to experience the love of Radha which she has for him. So, he comes in the mood of Radharani and as a devotee of Krishna.

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī gets the permission of Madana-Mohan to write the book

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was asked to write philosophical truth about Lord Chaitanya’s life. Since it was the desire of the devotees so Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī thought let me try my best. In spiritual life success is proportional to how much we are dependent on Krishna and the mercy of the devotees.

So, before beginning the service of writing this book, he was going to every devotee to seek their blessings. He went to seek blessings of Gopala Bhatta Goswami. Gopala Bhatta Goswami said that I will give you my blessings but do not put my name in the book.

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī went to Madana-Mohan temple to seek the blessing of the Supreme Lord. As he was praying to the Lord the garland of Madana-Mohan fell. All the prominent Vaisnavas were present in the temple at that time and when they saw garland falling, they loudly chanted “Haribol!.”

The pujari of the temple, Gosani dasa, immediately took the garland and put it around the neck of Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī. All the Vaisnavas said that Madana-Mohan has given the permission to write the book.

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī mentions about this in his book, “When I visited the temple of Madana-mohana, the priest Gosāñi dāsa was serving the feet of the Lord, and I also prayed at the Lord’s lotus feet. When I prayed to the Lord for permission, a garland from His neck immediately slipped down. As soon as this happened, the Vaiṣṇavas standing there all loudly chanted, “Haribol!” and the priest, Gosāñi dāsa, brought me the garland and put it around my neck. I was greatly pleased to have the garland signifying the order of the Lord, and then and there I commenced to write this book.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 8.74 – 77

What documents were used to write Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta?

While writing Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, used the notes of Svarupa Damodar and the pastimes which he heard from Raghunath Das Goswami. Svarupa Damodar a personal associate of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had recorded the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya.  Raghunath Dasa Goswami had memorized those notes of Svarupa Damodar.

“I have heard from the mouth of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī all that Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī recorded in his notes about the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I have briefly described those pastimes. Whatever I have written is by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, since I am an insignificant living being.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 3.269 – 270

The prolific writer completes the book but does not take the credit

Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī,a prlific writer, is an epitome of humility. He wrote such a great literature, but he does not take any credit for it. He thanks Madana – Mohana, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda, all the associates of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda and all the Vaisnvas for their mercy in writing Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

Not just that he even worships the readers who will be reading his books.

“I now worship the lotus feet of all my readers, for by the mercy of their lotus feet there is all good fortune. If one hears the pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as described in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, I wash his lotus feet and drink the water. I decorate my head with the dust of the lotus feet of my audience. Now you have all drunk this nectar, and therefore my labor is successful. Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 20.150 – 153