Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

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

How to serve Lord Krishna even when you do not like to serve him?

Scriptures and pure devotees of Lord Krishna teaches us to always serve Krishna but in spite of that we are reluctant to serve him. Why is it so? Why we do not want to serve Krishna but always want to serve our senses?

These questions were beautifully answered by HG Jivananda Prabhu, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, in his Srimad Bhagavatam Class which he gave at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata temple on 16^th Dec 2023.

Below write up is completely based on the Srimad Bhagavatam 10.74.3 class which Prabhuji gave on 16^th Dec.

Krishna comes to teach us real purpose of life

When Krishna comes, he comes with his entourage. Most of them come before he arrives, some comes after. So, why does Krishna come? To take us back to the spiritual world. He wants us to go home. If he does not come then how we will figure out who we are, what is the purpose of life?

Some people have different purpose in this world – to become scientist, doctors, engineers, artists. Why? Because in this world we want to prove our worth.

In this world, we want to eat, sleep, mate and then defend ourselves from everything. I have to protect my mate, my business. Not only from people but even from animals like rats and insignificant ants.

So, where is the time to figure out my real purpose? We need help. Some who think about the purpose just speculate. They think after world is like that or like this.

So, Lord Krishna has to come to make us understand real purpose of life.

He comes when irreligion starts overtaking religion. When Krishna came religion was lost. So, he came to re-establish it. Why did he do? He did it for us. He came to save devotees and annihilate demons.

But while he is here, he has other things also to do. He likes to enjoy with his friends, with Radharani, with gopis, with Arjuna.

Why Krishna does prescribed duties when he is here in this world?

All prescribed duties come from Krishna. So, why he does the prescribed duties? He does it to tell us that we have to do our prescribed duties.

Krishna is the Supreme Lord. And he is also a dramatic actor. When Krishna was in this world then the kings of the earth were telling Krishna to do certain things and Krishna did it. He is acting like an ordinary human being to teach us how to do the prescribed duties.

Can we say that Krishna is the Supreme Lord and is acting as a naughty child? No. Krishna is the Supreme Lord, but he is a naughty child too.  Krishna wants to enjoy butter. He wants to have fun with Balaram, gopas, gopis and even monkeys. He performs Damodar lila.

Is Krishna’s form as Damodar temporary or just his acting? No. Damodar is Krishna’s form and is real. Whenever he acts, he is real. When sages ask him to act in one way then he does.

In this world, in movies one may act as a romantic hero or a superhero but in real life he may be a drug addict.  He is not real person. But when Krishna does something, he is real. Everything what Krishna does is real. Reality comes from Krishna. When he performs these activities, he demonstrates prescribed duties. And teaches us the importance of prescribed duties.

Why it is important to serve Krishna even when we do not like to do it?

In this world, we have to follow instructions. But many times, we do it reluctantly, we do not do it joyfully.  

But when we perform devotional service then it should be done joyfully. We should think that I am doing it to please guru, Krishna, assembled devotees and all living entities. I am not doing it for my own gratification. When we do something for guru and Krishna even if we do not like to do it then it gives pleasure.

For example, soldiers are given order to do something because they are part of nation. No soldier has personal mission. There mission is to serve the nation.

Our life’s mission

Similarly, we all have same mission – to please guru and Krishna. I may not really want to do it but this is part of mission, so I will do it.  If it was not part of the mission, I won’t be cutting sabji, cleaning floor because I do not want to do it. I am doing these to serve Gaur Nitai.

Sometimes our leader may need us to do something we may not want to do. We may not like it, but I should think that I will do it because I love guru, Krishna and fellow devotees.

I remember, I was given position of travelling sankirtana leader which I did not want to do it at first. But I did it and it was very rewarding. I thought that this was part of Lord Chaitanya’s mission, so I should do it.

In the beginning we may unwillingly do service but in due course we will start liking the service.  It wont give gratification if we do it for ourselves. We have been doing it for our gratification life after life.

How long we have been in this material world that we do not even know. We left spiritual world to come to this material world and here we are subjected to time.

Sweet Anxiety

Times fly when we are having fun. And when we are not having fun then time seems to go slow. We identify with this body, so we identify with this world. When we really get involved with guru and Krishna then we forget time.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Siksastakam, Text 7, says,

yugayitam nimeshena
chakshusha pravrishayitam
shunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me

“O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.”

When you really love someone then with him 12 years will be one moment.

When we add ingredient of love, it changes time.

When we think for our own gratification then it is always filled with anxiety. But when we are giving love, we think we should be giving more, we did not do it enough.

Wanting your beloved to be happy is a sweet anxiety.

Our eternal position & eternal duty

How can Krishna do such a good job of convincing so many people? How many times we see leaders doing a good job of convincing you? Have you witnessed it? No. But Krishna convinces ordinary people. Why? Because he does not have false ego.

He does not have to prove you that he is God. He does not think that you are not thinking me as God. He may walk with ordinary people, and no one knows he is God. Krishna never forgets who he is, but we forget who he is.

We should never forget our eternal position. If we remember this then it will solve all our problems, solve all relationship issues. We see everyone as part and parcel of Krishna. We see that even non devotees are part and parcel of Krishna.

And if you give proper respect to non-devotees and treat them part and parcel of Krishna, then it touches them, and they take to Krishna Consciousness. Gradually they too engage in the service of Krishna.

So, it is important to understand that our eternal position is that we are parts and parcel of Krishna and eternal duty is to always serve Krishna.

Sri Jagannath Puri Dham Kartik Yatra 2023 Day 6: How we get maximum benefit from Dham Yatra?

On the 6^th and the final day of Kartik Yatra, HG Sanat Kumar Prabhu explained how one can get benefit from Dham Yatra. He discussed how we should take darshan of the Dham and darshan in the Dham. He gave the class in the morning in Gambhira. HG Sanat Kumar Prabhu is a very senior devotee of Iskcon Chowpatty, Mumbai.

At the beginning of Kartik Yatra Maharaj spoke about the bhav (emotion) or consciousness which devotees should be having during the yatra. And that bhav should not be only during the yatra but we should carry it back to our homes, to the places of our work then we will get the complete benefit of Dham yatra.

Below article is based on the class given by HG Sanat Kumar Prabhu at Gambhira on 6^th day of Kartik Yatra in Sri Jagannath Puri Dham on 21st Nov 2023.

Srila Prabhupada showed the way

First, we should be grateful to Srila Prabhupada for his contribution in spreading Krishna Consciousness all over the world. He taught us how to do deity worship, what mantra to chant, how to chant, wrote commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic literatures so that we can read it, taught us the importance of Vaishnav seva, tulsi seva and visiting holy places like Jagannath Puri.

In fact, whatever bhakti we are practicing today is only because of the causeless grace of Srila Prabhupada.

Now if we want to express our gratitude to Srila Prabhupada then we should help Srila Prabhupada in making more people devotees of Krishna.  Because this is what Prabhupada wanted, and this was his life’s mission.

Now when we are staying in Dham then we should learn from the acharyas how they approached Dham and lived in Dham.

How Akrura approaches Vrindavan?

For example, when Akrura was entering Vrindavan for the first time then we can see how reverentially he approached Vrindavan. As soon as Akrura sees the footprints of Krishna and Balarama, he immediately gets down from his chariot and starts rolling on the dust of Vrindavan which had those footprints. With tears in his eyes, he starts offering prayers to Krishna and Balarama.

So, as we enter Dham, we should first offer our obeisances and let the dust of the Dham touch our body. It will purify us. We should then offer our prayers and consider ourselves unqualified to enter Dham. Akrura prayed that I am unqualified but still by the mercy of Krishna I am getting entry into Vrindavan.

We should also consider ourselves most fallen and be grateful to Lord Jagannath for allowing us to enter into Jagannath Puri Dham.

But when we start thinking that we are doers then we do not think that we are fallen. We then develop ego and when we have ego then we are bereft of the mercy of the Lord.

To become qualified to enter Dham is to think that we are not qualified at all to be in Dham. If we have carry this consciosuness then we can get benefit from Dham visit.

Uddhava wants to become a blade of grass in Vrindavan

Another example is of Udhhava. When Uddhava comes to Vrindavan then gopis took him to all the places where Lord Krishna had performed pastimes. They showed him Govardhan hill where Krishna lifted the mountain, they showed him Shyam Kund and Radha Kund, they showed the place where he performed Damodar lila, the places where he would play with the gopas. The way the gopis were describing the pastimes of Krishna at different places, Uddhava understood that these gopis are the greatest devotees of Krishna. Their love for Krishna is Supreme.

Uddhava then begins glorifying the gopis. He considers himself to be unqualified to be in Vrindavan. He starts seeking mercy of the gopis. And he prays to become a blade of grass in Vrindavan so that when the gopis walk, the dust of their lotus feet falls upon him.

“The gopīs of Vṛndāvana have given up the association of their husbands, sons and other family members, who are very difficult to give up, and they have forsaken the path of chastity to take shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, Kṛṣṇa, which one should search for by Vedic knowledge. Oh, let me be fortunate enough to be one of the bushes, creepers or herbs in Vṛndāvana, because the gopīs trample them and bless them with the dust of their lotus feet.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.47.61

Lord Brahma’s humility

In Vrindavan, Brahmaji also offers prayers to Krishna. People have misconception that Brahma is topmost, but Brahmaji is praying to Krishna that he is fallen, he considers himself unqualified and he seeks mercy of Krishna. Because of his humility, Lord Brahma is able to understand the glories of vraja.

In Satya Yuga, Lord Brahma, installed Lord Jagannath and established the worship of Jagannath in Puri. In Kali Yuga, he comes as Haridas Thakura and he considers himself so fallen that he does not enter the Jagannath temple.

He prays to Lord Chaitanya to give him a place so that even his shadow does not fall upon the pujaris of Lord Jagannath. Haridas Thakura never ever mentioned that it was I who established the temple of Lord Jagannath in Satya Yuga. But he considers himself most unqualified.

He thinks that during Satya Yuga, the Supreme Lord had given me a different service which I did. And now in Kali Yuga Lord wants me to perform different service so let me do so. He accepted this the mercy of Lord with a humble heart.

Any Service in Dham is Glorious

During Yatra, we put aside everything and focus on intensifying our sadhana. During yatra, whatever service we get we should do it. Any service if done for the Lord with humble heart is glorious.

We should not think that some service is better than others. For example, generally we may think that giving classes, leading kirtan, doing management is glorious but other services are not so great.

If we see the life of great Vaishnavas, they did whatever service they were given with great devotion.

For example, Shyamananda Pandit, would sweep a kunja in vraj daily with a broom for hours. He did it with great devotion. So, if we are getting the service of cleaning the Dham, we should do it happily.

Whatever service, we get we should do it with body, mind and words. If we do so then we can get the benefit of being in Dham. The six goswamis of Vrindavan were always engaged in serving the Dham. They did not waste even a single moment of their life.

Srila Rupa Goswami would either do kirtan, chant or write holy books. He teaches us how to live in a Krishna Conscious way.

So, without wasting time, we should be engaged in serving the Lord. 

Developing qualities to please the Lord

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura says that we should develop qualities which will please the Lord. Once after taking darshan of the Lord, SBSST asked the devotees, “Did you take darshan of the Lord?” The devotees said, “Yes.” Then SBSST again asked, “Did Lord Jagannath took your darshan?”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura was trying to say that we should develop qualities and should be engaged in serving the Lord in such a way that the Lord is pleased to see us.

While taking darshan of the Lord, we should think that we are unqualified, but we are able to see the Lord because of the mercy of guru and Vaishnavas.

Conclusion: Carry the memories of Dham

This is the mood, bhav or consciousness we should be having when we are in Dham. And the same mood we should carry back home after yatra. Wherever we took darshan of the Lord, heard katha, did kirtan, ate prasadam we should remember it daily. If we do so, then we will get maximum benefit of visiting Dham or holy places.

Sri Jagannath Puri Dham Kartik Yatra 2023 Day 5: Krishna the reservoir of all pleasure

On the 5^th day of Kartik Yatra, HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj beautifully explained that Krishna is the reservoir of all pleasure. But unfortunately, unaware of this truth people keep on looking for pleasure at wrong places and keeps on suffering.

Maharaj also spoke how Lord Chaitanya transformed Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and how Lord Chaitanya by his personal example taught us how we should be grateful to our guru and all the Vaishnavas who have helped us in our spiritual life.

At the end of the class Maharaj said that we should be always eager and enthusiastic to serve Krishna. Even if we are not feeling enthusiastic to serve Krishna still, we should do it. Maharaj quoted the famous statement of Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada had said, “Even if you do not feel enthusiastic, act enthusiastically and eventually you will become enthusiastic.” We should also develop the same mood and do our best as per the instructions of guru, sadhu and sastra.

Below article is based on the class given by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj on the 5^th day of Kartik Yatra at Jagannath Puri Dham. This article covers one of the topics, Krishna is the reservoir of all pleasure, which Maharaj spoke in the class.

Suffering is a reminder

In this material world suffering is inevitable. Whoever we are from Lord Brahma to tiny ant, we are temporary and insignificant. Suffering is a reminder to us that what we are actually looking, we are not getting. In this world, everyone thinks that he is better, and others are just crazy. This is the reason for confusion and conflict.

Srila Prabhupada says that everyone in this world is crazy because everyone thinks that they are someone which they are not.

Everyone thinks they are body and think on bodily platform. But body is temporary, and it ultimately dies. But with death everything does not come to an end. Because we again get another body. Death is the start of another life. We create our new body and our future based on the karma we do in the present life.

In 1965, when Srila Prabhupada was in the United States, he was homeless, he was wandering, he was wearing saffron sheet, had nothing with him and 99.9% people thought that he was crazy. But craziness is not based on popular votes, but it is based on ultimate truth.

Srila Prabhupada was dedicating his life to make people understand the highest truth, he was doing his best to give happiness to the suffering humanity.

Srila Prabhupada revolutionized the concept of God

Srila Prabhupada revolutionized the concept of God. Generally, people think that God is the creator, he is almighty, extremely powerful, source of everything. But Srila Prabhupada said that Supreme Lord is the reservoir of all pleasure which we are constantly seeking.

And that Supreme Lord is Krishna. All the Vedic scriptures, great acharyas conclude that Krishna is the Supreme Lord – kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.28

How everyone is searching for Krishna?

In this world everyone is searching for pleasure. So, it means that everyone is searching for Krishna, the reservoir of all the pleasures.

Krishna is the creator and maintainer of this world; he is our father and mother, and he says that this world is full of misery – duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam, Bhagavad Gita 8.15

We should believe Krishna.

In Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58 it is mentioned that there is danger at every step in this world – padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ

But Krishna assures that if we take his shelter then we will not suffer. This is why Krishna appears in this world to tell us that he is always there for us.

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

Krishna cares for us. This is why as Paramatma he always resides with us near the soul. He is our best well-wishing friend. Once a western journalist asked Srila Prabhupada that why have you come here. Srila Prabhupada said, “To remind you what you have forgotten.”

People have forgotten to take shelter of Krishna and so people are suffering. Whatever happens in this world, positive or negative, comprehensible or incomprehensible, we should always take shelter of Krishna.

Krishna is so merciful that he has appeared in his holy name.

kali-kāle nāma-rūpe kṛṣṇa-avatāra
nāma haite haya sarva-jagat-nistāra

“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.”  Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Ādi 17.22

How can we experience pleasure?

Taking shelter of Krishna becomes easy when we associate with like minded devotees.

Life’s goal is to ultimately seek pleasure from the reservoir of all pleasure, Krishna.

Now, if Krishna is the reservoir of all pleasure, then we should give all pleasure to Krishna. To the extent we are living to please Krishna – saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam – to that extent we will be pleased.

In fact, in Krishna’s pleasure, we experience highest pleasure. To the extent we surrender to Krishna to that extent we experience pleasure.

Krishna appears in this world not just to give liberation from suffering but to give love of God. He is giving us entry to Goloka Vrindavan.

Lord Chaitanya is mahā-vadānyāya. He is giving love of Krishna. He is Krishna but giving more mercy than himself i.e. Krishna.

What is Sanatana dharma?

When Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita, he was teaching philosophy. But as Lord Chaitanya, he came and took the role of his own devotee to teach us how to do devotion.

Lord Chaitanya opened storehouse of love for everyone. He did not consider who is fit or unfit, whether its auspicious time or inauspicious time, he gave everyone the opportunity to practice devotion to Krishna, to please Krishna.

When Srila Prabhupada met his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, at that time India was under British rule. Also, there were so many ideologies at that time. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said that the only problem plaguing India and the world is because people have forgotten Krishna.

It is true that dharma is to deal with the problem in a practical way, but Sanatana dharma is to please Krishna, to love Krishna.

Krishna, the reservoir of pleasure, bestows unlimited pleasure

Without the association of those who love Krishna and those who are sincerely trying to love Krishna it is impossible to develop love for Krishna.

A vaisnava is one who no matter how advanced he is, he is always grateful to the gift which he has got with the help of other devotees. He is always grateful to his guru and to everyone who helped him in his spiritual life. We see Lord Chaitanya would always give credit to his mother, to his guru and to all the devotees.

Without the blessings of Vaishnav we won’t be able to seek mercy of the Lord. Lord Chaitanya, who is the Supreme Lord, would seek permission from devotees before going for South India yatra. The Supreme Lord always likes to personally reciprocate with the devotee’s love.

In Jagannath Puri when Lord Chaitanya was performing sankirtana with the devotees, then all the devotees would see that Lord Chaitanya was looking at him.

Just like when Krishna would eat prasadam with the gopas then all the gopas would see Krishna eating prasadam with them.  They would experience that Krishna’s unlimited love is exclusively for them and this would give them great pleasure.

Following the footsteps of the associates of the Lord, when we will also completely surrender to Krishna and start serving him whole heartedly, we will also experience that unlimited pleasure which we are always looking for.