Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Gita tells us that we are spiritual beings & not a programmable robot

Are we programmable robots or spiritual beings with spiritual consciousness, let us see what Bhagavad Gita says about it.

Modern scientific viewpoint states that we the human beings are nothing but a bag of chemicals & we came into existence owing to some spontaneous chemical reactions and will cease to exist once the chemical reaction ceases.

Scientific theory epitomizes the doctrine of the renowned atheist charvak muni who said when this body dies nothing is left. So, one must enjoy ones life as much as possible. Beg, borrow and steal but enjoy was his message to the humankind.

Modern educational curriculums are designed taking into consideration the aforementioned viewpoint.

Why a robot will have feelings for other robots

Scientists believe that a human brain can be programmed to act in a particular way in the same manner as a robot is programmed in laboratories to act in a particular way.

Today in schools & colleges a student’s brain is stuffed with loads of information to ensure that his brain is programmed to believe that he is the doer of everything and this life of his is to enjoy to the fullest. Every year across the world schools & colleges are manufacturing highly skilled robots, loaded with technical savoir faire.

So, since schooldays itself these mechanized robots starts considering this life to be full & final and are ready to resort to any means to enjoy this (& only this) life. If I am a bag of chemicals & my colleagues or my friends or my family members are also a bag of chemicals then what’s the harm in destroying that bag? I have to enjoy my life any how (beg, borrow & steal).

How a robot can solve life’s problems

However, when confronted with any adversity these highly talented mechanized robots tries to switch on their intelligence button but fails to find out that particular program which can solve their problem.

So, we find these highly skilled, highly intelligent and high profile robots hangings itself with a small rope from the ceiling of the house, taking dollops of rat poison to end the troublesome safari of life or taking the shelter of the sleeping pills.

In spite of being force- fed dollops of arguments against suicide, drug abuse, depression why is it that even the most knowledgeable materialistic brain (high profile engineers, doctors, scientists, business magnates, lawyers) easily succumb to it.

Inundated with plethora of materialistic information human intelligence fails to do an RCA (Root Cause Analysis) of the problem. The brain tries to find the solution based on the existing source codes which were force – fed in schools & colleges to ensure that the being turns out to be a technological masterpiece (robot) unparalleled and unequivocally the best.

However unfortunately, unlike the computer program the output is not always as per the expectations.

Differences between a robot and us

Let us understand the difference between a robot and a human being.

Robot is a mechanical machine devoid of any consciousness whereas human beings are spiritual beings full of consciousness. Unlike human being a robot does not feel pain & pleasure, tears does not start pouring down from it’s eyes with love and ecstasy upon seeing it’s own creator (mother & father) or fellow robots (brothers & sisters).

The flaw of the modern education system is that it does not answer the questions: who we are, what is the purpose of this life & why do we suffer. It provides information only to deal with dead matter. There is no information about isvara(the Supreme Lord), jiva (the living entity), prakrti (nature), kala (eternal time) and karma (activity) in today’s educational curriculum.

We should understand that we are not a robot devoid of consciousness instead we are spiritual beings full of consciousness. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna very clearly says that we are spiritual beings. He explains that we are souls and our material body is functioning only because of the presence of soul within this material body.

“That which pervades the entire body you should know to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy that imperishable soul.” Bhagavad Gita 2.17

As a soul we are sat-cit-ananda i.e. eternal, blissful and full of knowledge. A robot will not experience pain or pleasure. At the most, it can be programmed to smile, to laugh or even to shed tears.

But we the human beings cannot be programmed to show emotions in a mechanical way. We actually experience happiness or distress and accordingly express our feelings. Why just the human beings, in fact all living beings like animals, birds, aquatics etc experiences pain and pleasure.

Gita has answer to all the important queries

We are undergoing pain, pleasure and happiness owing to our previous karma. And we are getting affected by it because as Bhagavad Gita explains we are spiritual beings.

As Srila Prabhupada explains, “We are suffering or enjoying the results of our activities from time immemorial, but we can change the results of our karma, or our activity, and this change depends on the perfection of our knowledge.”

As we are conditioned and fail to understand what is right or what is wrong, we should take the shelter of scriptures like Bhagavad-gita which provides answers to all our questions.

Srila Prabhupada explains,”Being an associate of Lord Krishna, Arjuna was above all ignorance, but Arjuna was put into ignorance on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra just to question Lord Krishna about the problems of life so that the Lord could explain them for the benefit of future generations of human beings and chalk out the plan of life. Then man could act accordingly and perfect the mission of human life.” 

Throughout Bhagavad Gita Krishna has again and again emphaised that we are spiritual beings and so we should act accordngly if we want to lead a happy life.

Unfortunately, we have banished these religious treatises in pursuit of modernity. However, since time immemorial the priceless, timeless and sublime philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Isopanisad, Puranas & other revered religious scriptures has been a beacon light for the entire human civilization.

A research

Recent research conducted by leading universities all over the world acknowledges the positive impact of spirituality in a person’s life.

Recently published paper ‘Impact of Adoption of Yoga Way of Life on Emotional Intelligence of Managers’ by Indian Institute of Management – Bangalore (https://www.iimb.ac.in/node/4034) states that those individual who has strong spiritual inclination has great ability to withstand failure and stress.

We spiritual beings should be spiritually empowered

Why not include Bhagavad Gita and other revered Vedic scriptures in schools and colleges curriculum. Once done the schools & colleges will no longer produce hundreds & thousands of mechanized robots every year instead, we will have young scholars who are not just technically savoir faire but are also spiritually empowered.

The paper also concludes yoga increases the Emotional Intelligence (EI) of a person which in turn increases the person’s managerial performance. It also says that Yoga can even replace six-sigma.

Empowered with the philosophy of these scriptures a person will not be bewildered when confronted with adversity; he will not be agitated, will not be frustrated and will never indulge in any life threatening and life destructive activities.

Like Arjuna he will be fearless, will always perform righteous deeds and usher the world in a new era of peace, prosperity & happiness.

Bhagavad Gita not just teaches us that we are spiritual beings but also empowers us to deal with even the toughest problems of our life.

Bhagavad Gita has solution for all our miseries

If you are tormented by miseries then do not worry, Bhagavad Gita has solution for all your miseries. None of us want suffering in our life but it comes knocking at our door.  It not just knocks at our door but forcibly enters into our house, into our life.

From a rickshaw puller to a pilot flying high in the sky, from a government employee to a head of the government, from a beggar on the street to a business tycoon, from a baby in her cradle to an old man – all continuously search for happiness. 

But in spite of our obsession with ‘happiness’, ‘miseries’ continuously accompany us like a shadow. Misery can be physical or can be psychological and it has a knack of appearing and disappearing at its own whims.

Types of miseries

Vedic scriptures tell us about the fourfold misery – birth, old age, disease and death.  Till date since the dawn of creation there has not been a single being including non -humans who have not been affected by it.  Who in this world would want to be diseased, grow old and ultimately die? But it happens to all of us. 

In this world we are also subjected to three types of miseries: 

• Miseries caused by nature such as excessive heat or cold, flood or famine, earthquake, tsunami etc. (adhidaivika-klesa)
•  Miseries caused by the activities of fellow beings like terrorists or sometimes by our own near and dear ones.  Even other species like mosquitoes, viruses too inflict on us sufferings in form of several diseases. (adhibhautika-klesa)
• Suffering caused by our own body and mind (adhyatmika-klesa). Bodily diseases, anxiety, depression, stress, fear of future etc. do not allow us to live in peace.

Scriptures are life’s manual 

In spite of our repeated efforts, we are not able to defend ourselves against the onslaught of material miseries.  The only approach which we consider effective is by increasing our worldly possessions and enhancing our material positions.

We think by filling our coffers with lots of money we can bribe misery when it knocks at our door and can change our destiny. But sadly, this rarely happens.  Many times, we are caught off guard and suddenly we find ourselves in precarious situation.

One of the advantages of being a human being is that we have been gifted with intelligence. So, as an intelligent species shouldn’t we ask why in spite of all my efforts, irrespective of all the measures taken we are not able to free ourselves from the strong grip of grief and sorrow?

Are the precautionary measures taken by us aren’t sufficient or is it that the measures itself is erroneous and so outcome is always ineffective?

When we buy a new gadget such as an iPhone then along with it is given to us a manual which not just explains the functionalities of the device but also specifies dos and don’ts.  And for effective functioning we are supposed to adhere to given guidelines.

But if we go against the advice then the device starts malfunctioning.

Similarly, we have also been given manuals by the creator of this world who is also our Supreme Father. These manuals are the sacred Vedic literatures which comprehensively give detail about this world, about our life and also delineate the process by which we can ward off all miseries and lead a peaceful life. 

It will not just protect us from all dangers but will also guide us to a path which will open the door of perennial bliss.

How like Arjuna we can overcome misery

Arjuna was in abject misery and in tears just before the Mahabharat war.  But after being thoroughly educated by Krishna in spiritual science he got enlightened and decided to work according to the directive of Krishna, the Supreme Lord.

By following the teachings of Bhagavad Gita which has solution to all the problems of life, Arjuna was able to come out of all miseries.

Krishna said, “Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.”  Bhagavad Gita 3.30

Arjuna fought with grit without worrying about gain or loss. And since he was executing his given duties as per the laws of God, he was victorious. Krishna was always with him providing protection and guidance. 

We suffer here because we go against the laws of God, we do not turn towards him, but we turn away from him.  But like Arjuna, if we do all our activities as given in the scriptures and if we invite Krishna in our lives then we can protect ourselves from many unpleasant situations and circumstances.  

Krishna saved Arjuna and he wants to save us too

After the Mahabharat war ended, Krishna asked Arjuna to get down from the chariot first. But Arjuna requested Krishna to get down first. Krishna advised Arjuna to do what he is being asked to do.  So, Arjuna got down first and then Krishna followed.

And as soon as Krishna got down from the chariot, the chariot blew up and burned to ashes.  Arjuna was horrified. Krishna explained that the weapons unleashed by Bhishma, Drona, Karna and other Kaurava warriors were extremely powerful but because of him the lethal weapons did not harm Arjuna a bit.

Arjuna always remained safe in Krishna’s hand.  Krishna, the all-powerful and all merciful is our only saviour.

Yes, it is true that in this world a devotee of the Lord too undergoes through old age, disease, death and three types of miseries also affect him.  But for devotees, Krishna is always there for him, just like he was for Arjuna.

Krishna shields his devotees from all dangers and provides him sufficient intelligence and inner strength which helps to nullify the miseries of this world. If we are in Krishna’s care, there is no fear and Krishna wipes all our tear. 

Not just this after leaving this world we get an opportunity to return back to the kingdom of Krishna where there is no rebirth, no disease, no old age, no death, no adhidaivika-klesa, no adhibhautika-klesa and no adhyatmika-klesa.

“After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” Bhagavad Gita 8.15

Free from miseries we can live always happily

In Bhagavad Gita 3.10, Krishna says “Be thou happy by this yajna [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.”  And the yajna in this world is chanting the names of Krishna, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. 

Chanting brings Krishna’s grace, and it opens the gateway to the spiritual world which is the abode of eternity and bliss. And so, Srila Prabhupada famously said, “Chant and be happy.”

Bhagavad Gita has solution for all our miseries, so if we live as per the guidelines of this great scripture we will never suffer and will live always happily.

How a devotee of Krishna lives fearlessly

A sincere devotee of Krishna is never disturbed by any kinds of sufferings and lives always fearlessly.  We will never find any instance in the Vedic scriptures where a devotee was fearful of any material situation.

But if we are not Krishna conscious then in this world we will always be in a disturbed state. In spite of our power and position, we will live in fear. Whether we are in the house or out of the house we will be in fear.

Many of us think that we are safe and secure inside the house but what happens when earth starts shaking? Do we remain inside the house? At the time of earthquake house is the most unsafe place to be in. But suppose that the earthquake is accompanied by heavy rain and lightening then where will we go? We will then not be secure in the house and also outside the house. 

Is there any place in this world where we are safe? The answer is no.

This is why Srimad Bhagavatam says that in this world there are dangers at every step – padam padam yad vipidam, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58.

No one can protect us in this world. Even those who loves us the most cannot save us from danger.

A father and a mother cannot protect their child. In fact they can’t even protect themselves.

Even the best doctor and the best medicine cannot save a patient. A boat in the ocean cannot save a drowning man. We all know that Titanic which was said be an unsinkable ship sank in its first voyage.

From womb to tomb uncertainty, anxiety and fear accompany us like a shadow. 

The unwanted suffering

We fear suffering. But suffering comes to us whether we like it or not. 

But when suffering comes, we have a tendency to blame others. We feel that the entire world is conspiring against us. And it is true also that we suffer because of others. But if we study the life of great devotees then we will find that they never blamed anyone for their suffering even though it was very clear that others where inflicting pain upon them.

For example, Prahlada never blamed his father, Hiranyakasipu, who was torturing him mentally and physically and was employing cruel means to kill him. Prahlada said, “I am suffering because of my own activities.” Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.16

Now, how many of us accept that we are the cause of our own misfortune?

We may be suffering now not because the Lord wants us to suffer but because we had indulged in certain prohibitory activities in the past, which is considered sinful by the Vedic scriptures.

Like a prisoner in this world

As long as we are in this world and as long as we have not got purified of all our sins, we will suffer. This material world is compared to a prison house. Just like in a prison, the inmates cannot be peaceful, similarly, in this material world we cannot be peaceful.

A prisoner cannot complain that why he is not happy in the prison house.  

Similarly, we the spiritual beings who have been exiled from the spiritual world and sent to this material world, which is just like a prison house should not expect that we can enjoy here.

Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 8.15 very clearly says that this world is duhkhalayam asasvatam– temporary and miserable. 

The good news – we can live fearlessly.

However the good news is that we are not condemned to suffer forever in this world. There is a solution to all our miseries.

Sometimes seeing the good conduct of a prisoner, the jail authorities may recommend the constitutional authority to reduce his sentence or even recommend to set him free.

Similarly, we the residents of this world also have the chance to get freedom from all the miseries.

The jail authorities of this world may be heartless, biased or corrupt, but the Supreme Lord is unbiased and our best well-wisher.

He has the complete authority over this world and is always eager to take us back to His abode where there are no miseries. And once we return to our eternal home, we will never come back to this world. Free from all sufferings we will live there fearlessly.

“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kuntī, never takes birth again.” Bhagavad Gita 8.16

Now, we do not have to wait to go to the abode of Krishna to live a fear free happy life.

Even in this world, if we always remain under the shelter of Krishna we will attain freedom from all suffering and can life without any fear. 

Showing compassion upon you and me, Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, “Come to me, I will free you from all sins and you can then live fearlessly”.

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66

How Krishna helps devotee to live fearlessly

In fact, once we enthrone Krishna in our hearts then we can live happily and fearlessly forever, even in this world.  

In fact, a devotee of Krishna lives fearlessly even in this world because Krishna personally and proactively protect his devotee.

Srimad Bhagavatam informs us that if one takes shelter of the Supreme Lord completely then the merciful Lord helps him to navigate through all the dangers which torments us in this world.

“For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murāri, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is paraṁ padam, Vaikuṇṭha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.”  Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58

Always absorbed in Krishna

Great devotee, Prahlada says that he is not afraid of material life because he always meditates on the Supreme Lord which gives him unlimited bliss. But he is concerned about those people who try to enjoy this world and forget to take shelter of the Supreme Lord. Such persons are condemned to suffer.

“O best of the great personalities, I am not at all afraid of material existence, for wherever I stay I am fully absorbed in thoughts of Your glories and activities. My concern is only for the fools and rascals who are making elaborate plans for material happiness and maintaining their families, societies and countries. I am simply concerned with love for them.” Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.43

A devotee of Krishna lives fearlessly because the Supreme Lord is always with him.

So, if we too want to live fearlessly then we should follow the footsteps of devotees like Prahlada and always remain under the shelter of Krishna, the Supreme Lord.  If we fail to do so, then we will have to face the consequences.

Bhagavad Gita & Srimad-Bhagavatam about fear and how to overcome fear

Vedic literatures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam teaches us how to overcome fear and live fearlessly in this world. This becomes possible and easy if one surreders to Krishna as per the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, this is the guaranteed way to get freedom from all fear.

A personal story

I was sitting in the college library one afternoon. Suddenly I saw my friend and classmate Abhishek run frantically into the building. He was breathless and perspiring. In apparent desperation, he approached one of our teachers and asked, “What if I don’t clear my HSC board exam? How will I face my friends and relatives?”

The teacher patiently calmed him down, advising him to remain positive instead of getting so agitated by something that had not yet happened.

Abhishek, however, could not settle down. I knew him as a studious young man; he had been a hard-working and conscientious student for as long as I’d known him. But peer and social pressures had somehow taken their toll on him everything in his life seemed to frighten him. Even a mosquito could drive him crazy with fear “What if I get malaria and die?” When the results came out after two months, Abhishek found that he had cleared his exam with distinction.

The uncertainty of the future keeps many of us in a perpetual state of fear. The world is so unpredictable we don’t know what is going to happen next. Health crisis, financial collapse, joblessness, death in the family anything can happen, at any moment. Most of us worry about things that have never happened and may never happen to us. Fear is like a noose that gets tighter and tighter until it strangles one to death.

Fear and its Consequences

Bhartrhari explains that there are nine types of fear:

 भोगे रोगभयं कुले च्युतिभयं वित्ते नृपालाद्भयं
माने दैन्यभयम्, बले रिपुभयम्, रूपे जराया भयम् ।
शास्त्रे वादिभयम्, गुणे खलभयं, काये कृतान्ताद्भयं
सर्वं वस्तु भयान्वितं भुवि नृणां वैराग्यमेवाभयम् ॥

bhoge rogabhayam, kule chyutibhayam, vitte nrupAlAd-bhayam
mAne dainyabhayam, bale ripubhayam, roope jarAyA bhayam |
shAstre vAdibhayam, guNe khalabhayam, kAye kRtAntAd-bhayam
sarvam vastu bhayAnvitam bhuvi nRNAm vairAgyameva abhayam ||

1. bhoge rogabhayam (भोगे रोगभयं): In enjoyment there is fear of disease
2. kule chyutibhayam (कुले च्युतिभयं): In a family there is fear of disgrace or dishonour
3. vitte nrupAlAd-bhayam (वित्ते नृपालाद्भयं): In wealth there is fear of hostile rulers
4. mAne dainyabhayam ( माने दैन्यभयम्): In honor or prestige there is fear of humiliation
5. bale ripubhayam (बले रिपुभयम्): In power there is fear of enemy or adversary 
6. roope jarAyA bhayam (रूपे जराया भयम्): In beauty there is fear of old age
7. shAstre vAdibhayam (शास्त्रे वादिभयम्): In knowledge there is fear of learned opponents
8. guNe khalabhayam (गुणे खलभयं):  In virtue there is fear of wicked vilifying person
9. kAye kRtAntAd-bhayam (काये कृतान्ताद्भयं): In body there is fear of death

Fear of death

The last one, the fear of death, is the most frightening because what happens after death is a mystery to most. And because we fear it more than anything else, we either ignore or downplay death. Masking it under a thick coating of perfumes and cosmetics, we feel secure in the illusory hope that we are still young and death is too far in the future to be of a present concern.

The apparent success of medical science has added to this illusion by falsely increasing the hope that one day we will conquer death completely. Unfortunately, no technological advancement can stop death. The eventuality of death is utterly outside our control. When Srila Prabhupada was once asked why the death rate was so high in India, he replied, “The death rate is the same everywhere 100%.”

It is well known that excessive fear can ruin one’s life. Here are some of its effects:

1.Physical: 

Gripped by fear, the body reacts adversely: perspiration, palpitation, and a rise in blood pressure.

2.Social: 

A fearful person feels lonely and isolated and is often unable to mix with friends and society. To maintain his or her status, such a person may resort to speaking lies. Fear also causes us to hate those persons whom we fear. A child afraid of his father hates his father; an employee afraid of his boss hates his boss.

3.Occupational: 

Over whelmed by fear of failure at work, people often stagnate and stop performing. “If I don’t meet my targets, my boss will fire me.” Such negative emotions completely engulf such people and ruin their lives.

4.Emotional: 

Fear is compared to a stream of deadly dangerous thoughts. In extreme cases, constant fear can lead to suicide.

The Root Cause of Fear

Fear arises when we accept false things as true, the temporary as eternal, illusion as reality. This world of matter is temporary and illusory, and therefore the happiness found here is of the same nature, temporary and illusory. Our body too, being made of matter, has the same nature; it can never provide us everlasting happiness.

Forgetting this, we try to find happiness in this material world through the temporary body and we find ourselves in a fearful situation. Fear of change, disruption, and ultimately death looms behind us, not allowing us to remain peaceful.

However hard we may try to distract ourselves or to forestall the inevitable with artificial technological facades, the jaws of time continue to devour us until we are face-to-face with inevitable death, suffering from the most heightened state of fear.

Quoting the famous Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37) verse that begins bhayam dviti ya bhini vesatah syat, Srila Prabhupada explains, “Dvitiya refers to matter, which is beyond spirit. Matter is the secondary manifestation of spirit, for matter is produced from spirit.

Just as the material elements described are caused by the Supreme Lord, or the Supreme Spirit, the body is also a product of the spirit soul. Therefore, the material body is called dvitiya, or ‘the second.’ One who is absorbed in this second element or second exhibition of the spirit is afraid of death.”

The fallen souls

Originally, we are spirit souls, different from the material body, and we belong to the eternal, blissful spiritual world. But, for some reason, we have fallen into this world of matter, which is totally foreign to us.

Here we have developed a spirit of rebellious independence, averse to the service of God, Krishna. This has put us in a miserable situation. We are now orphans, who have been left alone in the middle of an ocean to fend for ourselves. We now face fear at every step of life, to some degree or the other.

A Guaranteed Remedy

As soon as we understand that we are not this material body, that this material world is not our real home, and that all our possessions, positions, and relationships are temporary, the door of fearlessness flings wide open before us. We must understand that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our loving eternal Father, who is eager to have us back home with Him.

All we need to do is sincerely surrender to Him, without reservation. A famous Vaishnava philosopher and poet named Govinda Dasa has sung, bhaja hu re mana sri-nanda-nandana-abhaya-caranaravinda re: “My dear mind, you please worship the son of Nanda [Krishna], who is abhayacarana, whose lotus feet are secure. There is no fear.”

To such a devotee who earnestly prays for help, Krishna awards total fearlessness. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that one can overcome fear if one takes his shelter. “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (Bhagavad Gita 18.66)

A step towards Krishna

As easy as it may sound, surrendering to Krishna is not so easy. To break off the shackles of false faith that happiness can be found in the material world takes practice and time. Within our short lifespan, we need to judiciously utilize, not ludicrously waste, every moment to develop the quality of surrender.

If we take one step towards Krishna, He will take thousands of steps towards us. We just need to take the initiative, and Krishna will help us take the next step.

Whatever we achieve in this world does not remain with us forever if not before the final hour, everything we treasure will be taken from us at the time of death. But any effort taken on the spiritual path does not go in vain; those results remain with us permanently, and even the slightest effort protects us from degrading into lower forms of life. Lord Krishna promises that His devotee never perishes. (Bhagavad Gita 9.31)

A Modern Example

The easiest way to become fearless is by studying the lives of great devotees who exemplify the quality of surrender. Srila Prabhupada, at the ripe age of sixty-nine, went to the West to preach the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He had no money or support, no permanent place to stay, no guarantee he would be fed, no source of income.

But he was free from any fear because, as he often said, he had strong faith in the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, in the holy name of Krishna and in the order of his spiritual master. During the journey he suffered two massive heart attacks; the third one would have killed him.

On the night of the second heart attack Srila Prabhupada dreamed he saw Lord Krishna rowing a boat and asking him not to be afraid. The Lord assured Srila Prabhupada that He would be with him. Significantly enough, Srila Prabhupada’s parents had given him the name Abhay Charan, “one who is fearless having taken shelter at Lord Krishna’s feet.” Prabhupada earned that name.

Out of compassion, he shared Krishna’s sublime message of the Bhagavad-gita and transformed the lives of millions of people all over the world. He has said, “To award fearlessness to the common man is the greatest act of charity.”

And Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavagam teaches us how to deal with fear. At various places in his writings, Srila Prabhupada taught us that how by following the teachings of Bhagavad Gita one can overcome fear and remain fearless. Here are some things we can do to conquer fear:

Practical steps to take to overcome fear

1. Chanting Krishna’s holy names: 

Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) teaches us, “O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.”

Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada have taught us to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

2. Reading and hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam: 

The Srimad Bhagavatam (1.7.7) says, “Simply by giving aural reception to this Vedic literature, the feeling for loving devotional service to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sprouts up at once to extinguish the fire of lamentation, illusion and fearfulness.”

For ISKCON devotees, Srila Prabhupada instituted morning and evening classes in all ISKCON temples to facilitate the study of Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita. We should take advantage of this facility as much as possible.

3. Meditation on Krishna’s form: 

“My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are the Supreme Soul. If one meditates upon Your transcendental body, You naturally protect him from all sources of fear, even the imminent danger of death.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.29)

We can meditate on the Deity form of Krishna, at home or in the temple. As we advance in spiritual life, Krishna will reveal to us His captivating form fully competent to dispel all fear.

4. Service to devotees: 

Advanced devotees of the Lord, by dint of their unflinching devotion, acquire godly qualities and always remain fearless. Serving them and following they path they have taken is a guaranteed method of acquiring fearlessness.

Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.1.17) confirms this: “The path followed by pure devotees, who are well behaved and fully endowed with the best qualifications, is certainly the most auspicious path in this material world. It is free from fear, and it is authorized by the shastras.”

The Best Soluton

Among all the methods described above, chanting the holy names is the best and the easiest way to dispel fear, and this is the religion for this age. If we chant sincerely, it can help us instantly transcend all anxieties of this world.

Chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare will swiftly bring us closer to Krishna and make us feel sheltered. By Krishna’s mercy, we will be able to fearlessly march towards our supreme destination, Vaikuntha, the place where there is no anxiety or fear.

If we too start following the guidelines of Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam then we too can overcome all fear and live fearlessly in this world.

What qualities should a devotee have?

A devotee inquired from his guru Parasar Bhat about the qualities of a sincere devotee.  Parasar Bhat contemplated on the question and advised him to go to Anantacharya for the answer. The curious devotee immediately went to the monastery of Anantacharya.

Upon reaching, he explained his purpose of visit and asked for an audience with the revered saint. But Anantacharya asked him to stay in the ashram and said that he would give the answer later. The devotee thought that it is better to stay here till my queries are addressed. But what unfolded later, he was least prepared for.

Devotee patiently tolerates

In the beginning of his stay he was treated with love and respect but it did not last long. Soon he found that he is being treated with disdain. He was being neglected and was asked to perform many services which he happily did. The devotee without any complain continued to stay in the ashram.

He thought that he has come here with a mission and so he will not leave the place unless he gets answer to his questions. Several months had passed but he did not get any answer but he still waited patiently for the reply.

Once a big feast was organized and when he too sat with other devotees for taking food he was asked by Anantacharya to get up and serve all. He was told to take food in the next batch. And when he sat in the next batch, he was again asked to get up and serve all. This continued till the time he was the only one who had not taken the food. 

And now Anantacharya showed his compassion. He called the devotee and asked what his question was. The devotee reverently replied, “I want to know the qualities of a sincere devotee.”

The four qualities of a devotee

Srila Anantacharya said: A true devotee is: (a) like a crane (b) like a hen (c) like salt and (d) like you

The answer was confusing and the venerable sage did not even elaborate, he asked the devotee to go and get the explanation from Parasar Bhat.  The devotee immediately left the ashram and went to Parasar Bhat who was also eagerly waiting to know what answer the great Anantacharya would have given.

The devotee paid respects to Parasar Bhat and narrated the entire incident and also the answer which he had got. Upon hearing the qualities of a genuine devotee explicated by Anantacharya, Parasar Bhat was jubilant. 

And he started explaining the deep meaning which was hidden in the answer:   

1. Like a crane:

• As the colour of the crane is white without any spots, similarly the heart of a devotee should be utterly clean with no dark spots. 
• Crane stands on one leg in the water and keeps on watching the fish. It let go the small fishes but the moment sees a big one then it pounces on it. A devotee too knows what to accept and what to ignore. A devotee ignores materialistic people engaged in mundane talks but whenever finds any spiritual discourse then he immediately grabs the opportunity to immerse himself in hearing Lord’s glories. He does not waste his valuable time in unnecessary gossips.
• During monsoon season, crane leaves the river and goes away to a distant place and returns back when things become normal. A devotee similarly leaves the association of those people who do not have interest in Krishna consciousness and goes to the place where he can get the association of sincere devotees.

2. Like a hen:

• A hen digs its head in the garbage, segregates the filthy stuff and picks healthy food to eat.  A devotee is sargrahi, he is interested only in the essence. As a crow looks for garbage, a fly looks for wounds similarly materialistic people have fault finding tendency. But a sincere soul, who is very much interested in elevating his consciousness, discards mundane and non-devotional activities and only focuses on activities which can take him closer to Krishna.

3. Like Salt:

• While relishing any delicacies we praise the cook, the spices, the vegetables and every other ingredient which we have on our platter but have we ever praised the salt? No. In fact we take the presence of salt for granted. If there is no salt in the food then we immediately realize its absence but we never recognize its presence.
• A devotee being like a salt means that he is ready to sacrifice his personal identity and easily gels with other devotees and renders service without bothering for honour, respect and prestige. He humbly serves all the vaisnavas and becomes so intimate with them that if he not with them even for a moment they start missing his presence. 
• Also in our food salt has to be in optimum quantity – neither too much nor too little. Similarly a vaisnava has to be balanced. Krishna says in Gita 6.16, “There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.” And again in Bhagavad Gita 6.17 Krishna gives the formula for success, “He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.”

4. Like You:

• You had gone there with a purpose and you stayed there tolerating all the adverse conditions unless and until you achieved your goal. Also you had a service attitude because whenever you were asked to serve you did it with all humility and without any complain. 
• Lord Chaitanya in his Sistastakam prayers underlines the importance of tolerance and humility: “One should chant the holy names of the Lord in a humble state of mind thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy names of the Lord constantly.”

Conclusion

The above four qualities is a must for all the sincere seekers. How much of it we have now we need to introspect and simultaneously we should endeavour to assimilate all these wonderful qualities which will help us to attain love of Krishna.

Vedic Scriptures on Why God allow people to suffer because of hunger?

Does the Vedic Scriptures have an answer to the question why God allow people to suffer because of hunger? The believers of God are always perplexed with this question. In fact, many people become agnostic seeing people dying because of scarcity of food. But does God really want us to starve? Or is God not capable to provide food to all? Let us try to understand that does God allow people to suffer because of hunger and what Vedic Scriptures say about it.

Man Sharing Milk with Dogs

During Coronava lockdown, there was a heart wrenching video in which a man can be seen sharing milk with street dogs in Agra. It seems a milk container overturned, and milk fell on the road.

While the man is trying to fill his little container with the milk, the street dogs are also hurriedly licking the milk.

Lockdown Impact:
इंसान और जानवर साथ साथ दूध पीने लगे।
आज अगरा के रामबाग चौराहे पर एक दूध वाले की दूध की टंकी गिर गयी।फिर क्या हुआ खुद देखिए। pic.twitter.com/OWvNg8EFIe

— Kamal khan (@kamalkhan_NDTV) April 13, 2020

The dogs are looking at the man with disdain.

“This is our area. How come you are stealing our food?”

An old starving lady is beaten

In India thousands or may be lakhs of people still live in hunger and die of hunger. But such stories never make headlines in the country. Because none of us want those hungry and unclean people to enter our bedrooms and living rooms.

So, the news channels which are run by highly educated marketing professionals cum journalists make sure that such stories are never discussed during their primetime debates. And the leading dailies of India never publish such stories on their front pages lest the people have gut wrenching feeling early in the morning.

I remember a video clipping which I saw almost 8 – 9 years back in which an elderly woman was being beaten by security guards. Her crime was that she was collecting some grains lying near the door of a godown in Danapur, Bihar. And the same clipping showed that there were dozens of mice inside the godown feasting on the grains.

The godowm was stuffed with sacks of grains. The elderly woman was not collecting any premium quality rice or wheat, but she was collecting rotten grains which were half eaten by the mice. She was beaten and warned not to do this again.

Are there insufficient foodgrains?

Now the question is, are people suffering because of lack of availability of food grains in India? As per the government data – Definitely Not. The government has ample buffer stock. In fact government has foodgrain stock which is more than the buffer norm. According to Financial Express in 2019 the government accumulated food grains 2.7 times the buffer norm.

So what happens to these foodgrains? Where does it go?  Sunday Guardian in his report in 2017 writes, “Around 62,000 tonnes of food grains, mainly rice and wheat, have been damaged in the last six years in the storage facilities of Food Corporation of India (FCI).”

The unused foodgrains rot in the godowns, insects and mice feed on it but it rarely reaches to the hungry people. The government says that they do not have proper mechanism to distribute the foodgrains to the poor people.

The government has the mechanism to send rockets in space, develop nuclear missiles but do not have the mechanism to feed the hungry people!!!

It has never been the fault of nature that people have to live in hunger. She provides all necessities which are required to live in this world comfortably. But it is because of the exploitative mentality of people and especially people who are in power and position that people struggle for daily food.

In Bengal famine of 1943 around 2 – 3 million people died of starvation. All historians concur that the famine was man-made.

So, before independence people in India was dying of hunger and even after 73 years of independence people are suffering because of hunger.  

Nothing much has changed especially for the poor people. And no one even cares about them.

Vedic Scriptures explain that God provides all the necessities

So, it is not that God is keeping people hungry. Hunger is because people in responsible position are misusing the resources given by God for their selfish purpose.

Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, “In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Viṣṇu, and blessed them by saying, “Be thou happy by this yajña [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.” Bhagavad Gita 3.10.

In this world, everything required for our sustenance have been provided by God. But these resources should be utilized properly for everyone’s benefit. This becomes possible and easy when men in power and positions are devotees of God.

As per Vedas a king or the ruler (President or Prime Minister) is the father of all the citizens of the country. And like a father he has to make sure that all his citizens are properly taken care – No one is exploited and no one goes hungry.

One should ensure that no one is hungry

It is not only the responsibility of the rulers to make sure that all the necessities are distributed equally to all but even the ctizens should proactively take responsibility of ensuring that no one around them suffers especially because of lack of food.

In fact, the scriptures go one step ahead and say that all the well-to-do householders should make sure that none of his dependents and no one living near his house should remain hungry.

Before honouring the meal, the householder should go out of his house and shout, “Is there any one hungry?” multiple times and if anyone responds to his call then he should immediately feed that person. Although today this approach will be difficult to implement but one should try to help the needy people as much as possible.

A genuine devotee of the Lord can never tolerate others’ suffering. He will do his best to alleviate the suffering of the people and will make sure that no one around him/her is hungry.

When Srila Prabhupada had tears in his eyes?

Once in Mayapur, devotees celebrated Govardhan Puja. They cooked huge quantity of rice and distributed the prasada (sanctified vegetarian food) to many people. People ate the prasada on a leaf plate and threw the plates near a building where Srila Prabhupada was staying.  Prabhupada after some time started hearing dogs barking and children yelling.

He looked over and saw a big pile of leaf plates. The dogs and the children were fighting for the food left on the plate. The children carrying the stick was trying to drive away the dogs, but the hungry dogs were not relenting. Prabhupada’s eyes got filled with tears.

He immediately called the devotees and said, “Make sure that nobody goes hungry within the 10-mile radius of the temple. Temple is the place of god. And all are God’s children. And in the presence of the supreme Lord, the Supreme Father his children should not remain hungry.”

This is the guiding principles of all the devotees of Iskcon. And so we see that Iskcon has always tried to serve free prasad to thousands of people all over the world. 

Iskcon’s contribution in alleviating hunger

During this coronavirus pandemic ISKCON and its affiliate foundations have served more than 1.22 crore (12 million) plates of meals across India till now. And they are still distributing food to people not just in India but in different parts of the world.

So, the solution to all the problems of the world is lack of God consciousness.

Gifts of God should be shared by all

If the entire people of the world become devotee of the Lord, then they will start seeing each and every other living being in relationship with the Lord. They will start seeing everyone as their own brothers and sisters.

And then no one will exploit others but all will happily share the available resources with others with an understanding that these are the gifts of God and it should be shared by all.

“Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.” Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 1

The people who are in governance will consider it as their divine duty to honestly and selflessly serve the people.

In such a God conscious society no one will die of hunger and no one will have to lick the milk fallen on the road with the street dogs.

Vedic scriptures clearly say that God does not allow and does not want people to suffer from hunger. Hunger is due to lack of God consciousness.

Why vāṇī is more important than vapu?

Vapu and vāṇī are two types of spiritual association. Vapu means form and vāṇī means words. When we are associating with Lord or devotees physically it is called vapu association. And when we are associating with the teachings of Lord or devotees then it is called vāṇī association.  Association is extremely important for our spiritual nourishment.

For success in spiritual life

The importance of association is repeated many by Srila Prabhupada. He even avers that success in spiritual life depends mostly on the type of association we keep. Association creates a strong and many a times lasting impression in our life.

Association being contagious, we unknowingly inherit the qualities of the people we associate with.  And this is why all spiritual seekers are advised to be in the company of those devotees who are very sincere in their devotional pursuit.

Association assures us that we aren’t alone in the spiritual journey; the fellow travellers’ warmth and comfort make us always feel protected. The material truncheon of the Lord continuously reminds us that in this world it is not easy to be materially happy but simultaneously the ephemeral allurements of this world inveigle us to look for sensual pleasures. 

But if we continue to be led and guided by senior practitioners and associate with like-minded seekers who care for us and where we feel wanted then the goal of achieving love of God, which may look daunting in the beginning, can ultimately be realized.

Devotees association always positively influences us. Grit of the sincere seekers motivates us to become more resolute in our purpose. Senior devotees’ life and teachings inspires us and when we come across those practitioners who braved multitude of monumental difficulties in their pursuit for self-realization then we too get enthused to continue with our devotional life tolerating all the challenges fixing ourselves firmly on the final goal which is attaining Krishna.

Meaning of Vapu & Vāṇī

While emphasising on association, scriptures and seers do not merely talk of physical association but they also expect that our mind too whole heartedly contribute.  Or else, it may happen that we may be in the temple, standing in front of Krishna with several other devotees amidst the mellifluous kirtan of the holy names but still we may be contemplating on non- devotional subject matters. Such association will not help us much. 

We should always entice or cajole or force our mind to accompany us whenever we are in devotees’ company. And when our mind starts enjoying the spiritual ambience then we can reap the maximum benefit of association.

Every spiritual seeker desire to exorcise insatiable worldly desires and so they desire the company of God’s chosen messengers whose grace can help them to purify their life.

Scripture lauds the craving for great souls association and goes on to say that one can look for two types of association – “vapu” and “vāṇī”. “Vapu” means associating physically and “vāṇī” means associating with the words.  Although “vapu” and “vāṇī” both are important but “vāṇī” i.e. associating with the teachings of revered saintly people is eulogized.

In fact, learned men asseverate that if we associate with the wisdom words of worthy sages and live by it then we can make remarkable progress in our spiritual life.  However, if we merely want to stay closer to the holy men without imbibing their devotional virtues and without actualizing their sagely advice in our own life then such closeness won’t help us much.

Prabhupada about physical or vapu association

Srila Prabhupada cautions those who just hanker for physical bonding, “Those who think that association with the spiritual master is physical, they are no better than a mosquito sitting on the lap of a king. And what is the business of a mosquito? Simply to suck blood.”

If we turn the pages of history then we will find that many of the spiritual stalwarts hardly had much opportunity to physically associate with their gurus and well – wishers. Our Srila Prabhupada met his guru, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, at the most 5 or 6 times. And the great sage Narada Muni associated with great Vedantists only for four months.

But the life transforming instructions which they received got ingrained in their heart which continued to guide them throughout their life. They never felt bereft of the love of their spiritual guide.  Underlining the importance of “vāṇī” Srila Prabhupada said that he will be always present with us in his books.

Some of the disciples of Srila Prabhupada personally met him only for few times but they are playing significant role in serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada.

One of the examples is of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. He met Prabhupada few times. We do not see pictures of Maharaj with Prabhupada. Also, there is no video or audio recording where he is conversing with Prabhupada. But he has always been at forefront in carrying the message of Prabhupada all over the world.  

Although Maharaj did not get vapu association of Prabhupada, but he is always with Prabhupada because he associates with his vāṇī constantly.

Endeavour to associate with vāṇī

Both types of spiritual association are desirable but vāṇī is more important than vapu.

For example, currently we are not associating with Lord Krishna physically, but we are associating with him through Bhagavad Gita which is his teaching. And by associating with Bhagavad Gita and studying it scrutinizingly millions of people have transformed their lives. 

In fact, we can always associate with the Supreme Lord Krishna, with Srila Prabhupada and with all the saintly people if we constantly contemplate on their teachings i.e. vāṇī and dovetail all our activities accordingly. 

Krishna not just spoke Gita to Arjuna but through Arjuna he spoke to all of us. Arjuna after hearing Gita, said to Krishna, “am prepared to act according to Your instructions”, Bhagavad Gita 18.73. We can also say the same to Krishna and like Arjuna become Krishna’s close friend.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “There are two words, vāṇī and vapuḥ. Vānī means words, and vapuḥ means this physical body. So vāṇī is more important than the vapuḥ. Vapuḥ will be finished. This is material body. It will be finished. That is the nature. But if we keep to the vāṇī, to the words of spiritual master, then we remain very fixed up.“

We can safely give up the notion that association is just physical. And can start associating with Krishna and Krishna’s close associates by meditating on their sublime messages.

Because of no devotee association Bharata Mahārāja becomes a deer

If we want to understand the importance of devotee association, we should study the life of Bharata Mahārāja.  He was a great devotee of Lord and in the same life he would have returned back to the spiritual world but because of no devotee association, he deviated. And instead of returning to the spiritual world, he became a deer.

Bharata Mahārāja retired early in life and went to Gandaki River to perform penance. Gandaki is famous for Saligram silas. Gandaki is quite high up in Himalayas. Gopal Bhat Goswami had also gone there. Saligrama sila jumped out of the water begging him to take with him. Gopal Bhatt Goswami took one Saligrama sila which became Radha Raman deity.

Bharata Mahārāja went to stay there. He was completely detached. He gave up kingdom, family, opulence and went alone to the mountain. His purpose was to practice devotion in that quite place away from any distraction.

But it did not happen, he developed some attachment for which he had to pay a heavy price. 

Bharata Mahārāja‘s attachment

Once when he was near a river, he heard a roar of a lion. One pregnant deer was also there. Hearing the roar, she became very frightened. She jumped to cross the river to save herself. In doing so, she gave birth to a baby deer but unfortunately, she died.

Bharata Mahārāja was witnessing all this. Being a devotee, he was naturally compassionate. That is the nature of a devotee. There is an example of a devotee saving a scorpion. Although the scorpion was biting him again and again but he was trying to save the scorpion.

When someone asked why he is doing so, the devotee said that the scorpion is not giving up his nature, so why should I give up my nature.

So, when Bharata Mahārāja saw the young deer, he began taking care of her out of compassion. But the problem was that he became so absorbed in taking care of the deer that it affected his spiritual practice.

He had gone there so that he is free from all entanglement and concentrate on his spiritual life.  But his sadhana got completely affected because of the young deer.

Bharata Mahārāja becomes a deer

He thought that this little animal is depending on me. And indeed the deer was dependent on him, at least initially. Every day Bharat Maharaj was finding grass, herbs, fruits and was feeding the deer.

When he was doing sadhana, his mind was not on God but on deer. What is he doing? Where is he going? In due course of time, it happened that Bharata Mahārāja had an accident. He fell down and died. But at the time of death, he was thinking of deer.

So, next life he had to take birth as a deer. Krishna says that at the end of life whatever you think you get your body accordingly. “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kuntī, that state he will attain without fail.” Bhagavad Gita 8.6

Deer becomes Jaḍa Bharata in next life

As he was very advanced, he had remembrance of his previous life. He remembered that how he was the king, how he had renounced everything but got attached to a deer. So, now he was very careful.

He would stay in the association of sadhus. He would take their remnants. It took some time for him to give up that animal body. By the grace of Lord, he gave up the body of deer and he was born as Jaḍa Bharata, son of a Brahmana.

But he was very careful to not entangle in family affection. So, whatever his father would say he would do opposite. His father would say that wash yourself after going to toilet. But he did the opposite.  He washed himself before going to toilet and not after coming from toilet. So, father and family members thought that he is useless.  

Jaḍa Bharata was happy to see that his family members are thinking him useless. In this way, he thought, “I will not get again attached and entangled.” He was very careful this time.

Are we also attached to something?

In our case, we know how our family members get attached to us when we are successful. They start having great hope from us that we will become materially successful.

It is important to learn an important lesson from the life of Bharat Maharaj. Although there are no deer around us but there are other things to bind us. And these are mobile, computer, car, house, even pets like dogs and cats.

In many houses, these days people have more pets than children. We get trapped because of gadgets and devices.

Srila Prabhupada would talk how people are attached to their cars. Someone is driving car and thinking I am the car. The man would be proud having a car.  If someone hits the car the man would say that you have not hit the car, but you hit me. We start identifying ourselves with the car. We get so attached that it becomes centre of our existence.

These days we get so attached to our mobiles. Sometimes when we chant, bead bag is on one hand and mobile in another hand. If we want to chant japa then we should turn off our mobile or put it aside at least till the time we are chanting.

Sometimes, we buy some gadget and think that we will use it in Krishna’s service but gradually we start getting attached to it and instead of using it for the service of Krishna, we begin using it for sense gratification.  We get diverted.

So, when we are using something for Krishna’s service then we should be very careful. It’s a very fine line.

Check your attachment

We should regularly check that how much time we spent chanting japa or reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. We should ask ourselves, where did the time go? Prabhupada would quote Chanakya and say , you can buy gold but not time.

Time moves like an arrow. It moves very fast. In Kaliyuga we have short life. Bharat Maharaj had long life. Srila Vyasadeva writes in Srimad Bhagavatam that people in Kaliyuga have very short life.

Lesson about devotee association from Bharata Mahārāja‘s life

The moot question is why Bharat Maharaj got attached to a deer? One of the most important reasons was that he had no devotee association. He was all alone. Just like in boat if there is no anchor, the boat drifts.

Similarly, we drift in the ocean of material existence if we are not in the association of devotees. We forget the real purpose of life.

Bharata Mahārāja forgot that he had renounced everything to focus on his spiritual life. But instead of thinking about God, he began thinking about deer. This is what happens when one is alone.

Bharata Mahārāja started with a noble idea.  He wanted to protect baby deer and there is nothing wrong in this. But later he got so attached to it that he forgot his spiritual life completely.

For example, you do not have a mobile phone and someone gives you one. You may think that its Krishna’s arrangement. Intention is good but slowly we may drift. We know when we have mobile phone, we can do anything with it. So, we have to be very much careful.

One devotee used to be a boxer before. He explains that one important thing in the ring is that hands should be always up, to guard yourself, else you will be hit and knocked down.

Wherever we go maya is everywhere. In school, at home, in office. So, how to protect ourselves? We have to always remember Krishna and be in the association of devotees.

When Bharat Maharaj was doing wrong, no one was pointing to him that he is doing wrong.

What to do to avoid distraction?

Sometimes a devotee keeps a little cat or dog at home. They think its not a big problem. But we get distracted. We want to fix our mind on Krishna. For that we need to have devotee association.

If we are not associating with devotees, then we should associate with holy book or read Srimad Bhagavatam.

Srila Prabhupada says if you read Srimad Bhagavatam daily, you will see Krishna in the pages of Srimad Bhagavatam.

But still many of us do not read Srila Prabhupada’s books. We have to read it again and again. Srila Prabhupada says that it is also important to read with the devotees and discuss on the topics we have read.  

So, it is important to be part of spiritual programs like Bhakti Vriksha. It helps us to share our understanding with others and also learn from others. It keeps us strong in Krishna Consciousness.  Just trying to be loner is not Krishna Conscious process. We depend on devotee association.

Srila Prabhupada would say that 98% progress in Krishna Consciousness depends on association. If we are not getting devotee association then we should associate with books and holy names.

One devotee asked Prabhupada that what is better for him – to read the book on his own or to hear it from a devotee. Prabhupada said better to hear from a devotee because he will help you to hear by your ear and help you to absorb. Prabhupada gave his association to the devotees when he was present in this world.

One can be a grihasta brahmachari

Gurukripa Prabhu was once waked up because Prabhupada called him in the middle of the night. Prabhupada asked him what he was doing?  He said that I am sleeping. Prabhupada said, “Why? In the middle of night, I am not sleeping although I am old but working on Krishna Conscious books.”

To another devotee Prabhupada said that how can you sleep if you have not chanted your rounds. It may sound very austere. People think austerity is in only working in the job. People work hard to make money. Austerity is giving up material enjoyment for service of Krishna.

One can be a grihasta brahmachari. One should not forget Krishna whatever happens. For that it is important to have strong sadhana. There are many great souls in family life. Many mahajans are in grihasta life.  Prahlāda Mahārāja, Janak Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja are grihastas. Maharaj does not mean to be a celibate. One can be in family life and can be great devotees.

Prabhupada said that there are devotees working in factories, offices and they are contributing hard earned wealth in Krishna Conscious movement. These persons are in renounced order of life. Our mission in life is Krishna Consciousness.  And for that it is very important to have right association.

Some devotees take house far away from temple and say we cannot come because it’s a far away. These are some problems.

Don’t let maya creep in. Maya is very dangerous. We have to be cautious.

Tamal Krishna Goswami would say that first be conscious then become Krishna Conscious. We have to understand that we are not the body and senses.  We have to be very careful and not do anything that will distract us.

Conclusion

When Bharat Maharaj became Jaḍa Bharata, he behaved like a stupid person. He got recruited to carry palanquin for Maharaja Rahugana. But while carrying he was careful not to harm ants.

Maharaja Rahugana became very upset and started chastising him with harsh words. Jaḍa Bharata remained undisturbed and began speaking great philosophy.

He said, “My dear King, you have unnecessarily accused me of being dead though alive. In this regard, I can only say that this is the case everywhere because everything material has its beginning and end. As far as your thinking that you are the king and master and are thus trying to order me, this is also incorrect because these positions are temporary. Today you are a king and I am your servant, but tomorrow the position may be changed, and you may be my servant and I your master. These are temporary circumstances created by providence.”  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.11

King fell on his feet seeking forgiveness for his behaviour. Jada Bharath instructed the king in the science of self-realization.

Finally, Maharaj Rahugana said, “It is not at all wonderful that simply by being covered by the dust of your lotus feet, one immediately attains the platform of pure devotional service to Adhokṣaja, which is not available even to great demigods like Brahmā. By associating with you just for a moment, I am now freed from all argument, false prestige and lack of discrimination, which are the roots of entanglement in the material world. Now I am free from all these problems.” Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.13.22

Jada Bharat knew the importance of devotee association.  Because of no devotee association, his going back to the spiritual world got delayed.

Even a short time association with devotees can give us complete perfection. This is the lesson we get from Bharata Mahārāja’s pastime.

(Note: This article is based on a Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam class given by H.H Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami Maharaja at Iskcon New Town, Kolkata, India.)

Meditating on the pastimes of HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj on his 72nd Vyas Puja

Hare Krishna, I am sharing some of the pastimes of HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj on his auspicious 72nd Vyas Puja. Let us meditate on these beautiful pastimes of Radhanath Swami Maharaj and try to assimilate his life’s instructions in our spiritual journey.

HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj meeting Srila Prabhupada at Cross Maidan

HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj left home in search of God when he was very young and came to India. He met Srila Prabhupada first time in Cross maidan in Mumbai on March 25^th, 1971. At cross maidan there were thousands of people who had come for Hare Krishna festival.

Srila Prabhupada was sitting on vyas asan on the stage and Maharaj was sitting amongst the audience. At that time Maharaj had long hair. He was sitting far behind. He was trying to have a glimpse of Prabhupada, but he was not able to see him properly. 

At that time HG Gurudas Prabhu, a senior disciple of Prabhupada, came to Maharaj and said that Prabhupada is calling you on the stage. Maharaj was surprised. He was thinking, “Why Prabhupada is calling me on the stage? Why did he single him out?”

Anyway, he went on the stage and got an opportunity to see Prabhupada closely. Prabhupada did beautiful kirtan and addressed thousands of assembled people. After the program when Prabhupada was leaving, Maharaj tried to touch the lotus feet of Prabhupada.

As he was trying to do, a senior disciple of Prabhupada said in a commanding tone, “No one touches Prabhupada’s feet.” But Prabhupada said, “No, he can touch.” So, Maharaj touched the lotus feet of Prabhupada and got his blessings.

From this pastime, we can understand very clearly that the relationship which a disciple has with his spiritual master is eternal.  Just like a father recognizes his son amongst thousands of people, similarly, Prabhupada recognized his spiritual son amongst thousands of people.

After meeting Prabhupada for the first time only, Maharaj felt that he is my guru, my spiritual master.

Making sandesh for Srila Prabhupada

When HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj was serving in New Vrindavan temple then he had a service of preparing sandesh, a Bengali sweet, for Srila Prabhupada. And when Srila Prabhupada would come to New Vrindavan then Maharaj would give him sandesh at the airport.

Once one another devotee also thought that let me prepare sandesh for Prabhupada. He prepared it and offered it to Prabhupada and asked him if he liked it. Prabhupada said, “Yes its good but what Radhanath Maharaj prepares is tastier.” 

Earlier Maharaj prepared sandesh, Bengali sweet, for Prabhupada and now he is carries sandesh, transcendental message, of Prabhupada all over the world.

Maharaj practices vairagya

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has come to teach bhakti and along with bhakti he also teaches us to practice vairagya and have jnana (spiritual knowledge). Maharaj has sadhu life. He lives frugally. Maharaj has very simple lifestyle. He does not have any bank balance.

While addressing HSBC bankers in 2013, Maharaj said, “I am addressing the top bankers of the world, but I do not have bank account since 1969.”   

HH Gaur Govinda Maharaj on HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj

Once HH Gaur Govinda Swami Maharaj in a lecture (lecture name:  Story of New Vrindavan) was saying, “One should cry for Krishna. Unless you cry for Krishna, you cannot get Krishna. Dhruva Maharaj cried for Krishna. Bilvamangal Thakura cried for Krishna.”

Then he saw HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj who was also sitting there and said that Radhanath Maharaj knows how to cry for Krishna. He said, “He has seen that while chanting Maharaj cries for Krishna. And by his tears of love, Maharaj has purchased Krishna.“

Once HG Krishnananda Prabhu was saying that when Maharaj is in Iskcon Chowpatty, he gets an opportunity to sit beside Maharaj and chant.  While chanting Maharaj is completely absorbed and tears comes from his eyes, but he does not show it to others.

Becoming mad for Krishna

In one yatra in Udupi there were HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj, HH Jayadvaita Swami Maharaj, HG Jananivāsa Prabhu and HG Pankajanghri Prabhu.  

While giving lecture, HH Jayadvaita Swami Maharaj said, “Srila Prabhupada said that we have so many rules in the organization and that is required to run a global organization. But we should not forget that the life’s purpose is to become mad for Krishna.”

Then HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj picked up the mic and said to HH Jayadvaita Swami Maharaj, “You are a bona fide mad man.” Then HH Jayadvaita Swami Maharaj took the mic from HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj and said, “Only one mad man can recognize another mad man.”

Best gift to Maharaj on his vyas puja day

Once one devotee from Kolhapur wrote to Maharaj, “On your vyas puja day I want to give you a gift. So, what can I give you?”  Maharaj said that the best gift you can give is to chant the holy name with three qualities – faith, attention and humility.

Maharaj says that each bead represents the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya and while chanting we should think that we are holding the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya and chanting.

Maharaj’s best sweet

Once one devotee in Prerna lecture asked to Maharaj that what is your favourite sweet. Maharaj said, “My favourite sweet is Hare Krishna Mahamantra.” In someone’s birthday we gift them sweets. So, on Maharaj’s birthdate, we can chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, this will be the best birthday gift to Maharaj. Maharaj always emphasizes that we should chant sincerely and always have a mood of

tṛṇād api sunīcena

taror api sahiṣṇunā

amāninā mānadena

kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Adi 17.31)

When a devotee went to Maharaj with complaints

Once one devotee came to Maharaj with lots of complaint. Maharaj heard it for a long time. The devotee thought that since Maharaj is patiently hearing me, he will give some practical solution to resolve the problem.

But after hearing the complaints Maharaj told the devotee, “Just chant. It will give you peace and solution.”

HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj’s deity

Someone asked Maharaj, “What is your deity?” Then Maharaj took his beads from his bead bag and said, “This is my deity. And I worship my deity, by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.”

Be always conscious of Krishna

Maharaj does not like if someone is practicing bhakti externally or unconsciously.  He says that we should be conscious in every aspect of our Krishna Consciousness be it chanting, reading, hearing or doing any service for Krishna.

Practices the principle of tolerance

Several years back, I saw one video of Maharaj. In that video one person was accusing Maharaj of something. He was very loud, very aggressive. But Maharaj kept his cool. And in his typical humble way, he was just saying, “I have not done anything. Why are you blaming me.”

Want to be right or Krishna Conscious?

Once when there were differences between two devotees and they wanted solution from Maharaj then Maharaj said, “Do you want to be right or do you want to be Krishna Conscious.”

Maharaj stole hearts of thousands of people

Once Maharaj was in Nandagaon with the devotees and he was explaining many pastimes of Krishna. He also spoke how Krishna would steal butter from the house of the gopis to give them topmost pleasure.

At that time one senior brajvasis said, “Krishna stole butter from the house of the gopis but Maharaj has stolen the hearts of thousands of people and have offered them at the lotus feet of Krishna.”

Conclusion

These are the few pastimes of HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj which is touching to the heart and teaches us many important lessons. On this auspicious occasion of 72^nd Vyas Puja of HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj, I pray Maharaj to shower his mercy upon my so that I develop taste in chanting the holy names of Krishna and develop a desire to always follow his instructions as it is.

(Note: The pastimes of HH Radhanath Swami Guru Maharaj is based on the lectures and offerings given by senior disciples of Maharaj such as HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami Maharaj, HG Krishnananda Prabhu, HG Gauranga Prabhu, HG Radheshyam Prabhu and other devotees)

72nd Vyasa Puja Offering to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj

This year, 2022, devotees and disciples of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is celebrating his 72^nd Vyasa Puja. Each one of us feel blessed to have the mercy and association of Maharaj in our life. Whenever I face any challenges in my life, I try to hear Maharaj’s lectures or try to read his books like Journey home.

His teachings are full of transcendental wisdom which helps to find best Krishna Conscious solution in a given situation and circumstances.  Below is my offering to HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, my spiritual master, on his 72^nd Vyasa Puja.

Maharaj’s emphasis on rediscovering inner happiness

While addressing the employees and their families at HSBC headquarters in London in 2013, His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj said, “While I am speaking to the top bankers of the world, but I never had a bank account since 1969.“

We all know that Maharaj left the comforts of his home in USA and came to India when he was just a teenager in search for that wealth which is sublime, eternal and bestows uncontaminated bliss. 

He was looking for a genuine spiritual teacher who could show him the right path.  And when Maharaj met Srila Prabhupada, he knew that he has found a realized soul who knows the secret of true happiness.

He decided to take shelter of the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada had left Vrindavan to distribute the wealth of Krishna Consciousness all over the world.

Following the footsteps of his spiritual master, Maharaj decided to dedicate his life in helping people discover inner wealth which gives pure bliss. And that inner wealth can be accessed only when we connect to the lotus feet of Krishna.

Maharaj again and again emphasizes in his lectures that we should search for happiness within ourselves and not in the outside world. Maharaj says, “Unless one is happy within one’s own heart, one cannot be happy no matter what one acquires.”

The real treasure is within us. Unfortunately, we have forgotten it. But once we get it then we will never be unhappy in our life.

Heart can never be satisfied by any external means

But sadly, even after coming to Krishna Consciousness and practicing for many years, we are not able to find that inner happiness. And this is the reason that sometimes we see unfortunate incidents of devotees having difficulties in getting along with each other. It can be within the devotee community, or it can be within a family too.

Since we feel unfulfilled within, so, we try to satisfy ourselves with external means. Sometimes we think by amassing wealth and accumulating material facilities we can be happy. Or we may start delighting in having power and positions. We start looking for name and fame. But these are not going to give us much pleasure.

In fact, these may become the cause of misery eventually. Heart can never be satisfied by any external means. If we are happy within, we will always remain satisfied and we will be able to spread happiness everywhere. 

When Maharaj saw a boy full of joy

Maharaj in his The Journey Home book tells the story of a 16-year-old boy whom he met in Kandahar, Afghanistan.  The boy was extremely poor, emaciated, was wearing rags and had swollen eyes. He had a little musical instrument with him which was also not in good shape. 

But with that instrument, as he began singing spiritual songs, his face lit up and in spite of his deplorable material circumstances, he was joyful. He appeared to be the happiest person Maharaj had ever seen in his life at that time.  

Maharaj writes, “He was smiling and crying in joy as he sung, and it was a culture shock for me. I was born and raised in northern Illinois and I was taught that having good health, having beauty, having money, having property, having education, this is what defined a happy life. This boy had absolutely none of it, He was impoverished, he was diseased, he was blind but I could tell you, he was the happiest person I had ever seen up to then in my life and I had to question, what really is happiness?”

How to always have positive experiences

Maharaj expects that each and everyone of us should discover that inner joy. And that can be possible when we change our consciousness from material to spiritual. Spiritual life does not mean just doing some spiritual activity. It depends upon our consciousness. 

Krishna Consciousness should change the way we see the world. We should see the world from the eyes of the scriptures given by Krishna. We should utilize every opportunity to get closer to Krishna.

Here in this world, we have good and bad experiences both. But how we deal with good or bad situations determines our destiny. Once devotees had gone with Maharaj to his hometown in USA. Maharaj was narrating various incidents of his childhood days. One of the devotees said, “Maharaj you have many positive experiences in your life.”

Maharaj immediately replied, “Those are positive because I process them to be positive.”  Situations and circumstances do not automatically become positive or negative. Maharaj teaches us that how we deal with that situation makes it positive or negative. 

Maharaj being a spiritual leader have faced many oppositions and challenges. We hear that during initial days in New Vrindavan Maharaj had to go through difficult circumstances. But even in those situations Maharaj found positivity and explored ways to serve Krishna in a better way.

Lesson to learn when we are insulted

Maharaj goes on to say that we can even draw positive experience even if someone insults us.

He explains that “When someone insults us, blames us, use harsh words against us, criticizes us then we feel great pain within our heart.  So, we should think that if we use the same words and behave in same way with others then the other person will also feel the same pain. Therefore , the lesson we should learn is that we should never insult others.”  

Maharaj says that there are principles and there are higher principles. And one of the highest principles is to never hurt any devotee’s feelings. Because this will displease Krishna and if Krishna is displeased then how we will be happy.

Maharaj does not want to see any one of us morose

HG Radheshyam Prabhu in his offering to Maharaj was saying that “Maharaj does not want to see any devotee morose.” Maharaj says that since we have been practicing Krishna Consciousness, so we should always be happy because we have got the treasure of Krishna Consciousness which is pure, and which never depletes.  

HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj’s quote on happiness

• Everyone seeks happiness. True happiness is a product of inner fulfilment.
• You cannot give happiness to another person, unless you are happy yourself.

On this auspicious occasion of his 72^nd Vyasa Puja, I thank HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj, my spiritual master, from the core of my heart for revealing to me the wealth of Krishna Consciousness.  I pray at his lotus feet to give me intelligence and determination to always follow his instructions and serve Krishna as per his wishes which will make my human life successful.

Maharaj’s insignificant servant

Purushottam Nitai Das

Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata, India