Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

We are dear to Krishna

In Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.22, Krishna says, “There are many created beings in this universe but among those the human species are very dear to me.”  We the human beings have special advantage, we can know Krishna, we can understand the message of Krishna and we can live as per the teachings of Krishna.

Cats and dogs, giraffes and goats, leopards and leeches cannot do so. Do we see dogs or cats or pigeons reading scriptures, chanting the names of Krishna, visiting holy places or fasting during ekadashi or Janmashtami. Animals, birds and reptiles cannot think beyond their bodily needs. Throughout their life they are only busy in eating, sleeping, mating and defending.

But human beings have the ability to think beyond their bodily needs. They can ask the meaning and purpose of life. They can study the wisdom words of Vedic literatures, associate with the devotees of the Lord, chant the names of Krishna and can perfect their lives.

But even after getting a human body if we are not using it to perfect our lives then how are we better than animals?

Krishna our Supreme Father is so concerned for us. He knows that in this material world we all are struggling constantly. “The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” Bhagavad Gita 15.7

Krishna’s desire

But Krishna says that we can easily free ourselves from our pathetic condition if we readily accept the shelter of Krishna. And taking Krishna’s shelter isn’t difficult. Its not that we have to change our occupational duty or we have to change our house and the place where we are staying, or we have to renounce our family life and become a mendicant.

In whatever situation we are in we have to just begin to live as per the teachings of the Lord which is given in Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. In this age of Kaliyuga, the best way to bring Krishna in our life is by chanting his names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra reverentially. And also, the Lord expects us to lead a sin free life which means that we have to give up meat eating, intoxication, gambling and illicit sex.  

Such a life purifies our consciousness which is presently contaminated with material impurities of lust, greed and anger. Once our consciousness becomes pure and we enthrone Krishna in the core of our heart then we will attain complete perfection and Supreme destination.

Krishna wants us to gift such a wonderful life. He is so eager to uplift our consciousness and bring us back to his kingdom that he came as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu along with Nityananda Prabhu 500 years ago to beg us to take his shelter.

Nityananda Prabhu, who is none other than Lord Balarama, was so desperate for our salvation that he would go door to door distributing the gift of the holy name of Krishna.

So, let us make the best use of this human life and fulfil the desire of Krishna and return back to him.

Three Reflections

• Krishna says, “There are many created beings in this universe but among those the human species are very dear to me.”
• But human beings have the ability to think beyond their bodily needs.
• In whatever situation we are in we have to just begin to live as per the teachings of the Lord which is given in Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

Ask Yourself

• Am I Krishna conscious or am I always conscious of my body?

Action Item

• Reflect upon three activities which you do daily which will make you dear to Krishna.

Gita Jayanti Celebration at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 1st Dec 2025

Gita Jayanti was celebrated on 1^st Dec 2025 at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata. 1^st Dec was also Mokshada Ekadasi. On this day Lord Krishna had spoken Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Kurukshetra around 5000 years ago.

On this special occasion morning Srimad Bhagavatam Class was given by HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu. He spoke on Bhagavad Gita 2.7 verse.  Prabhuji explained how this wonderful book offers highest knowledge to all i.e devotion to Krishna. He further said that we should always remember the verse – man mana bhav mad bhakto – so that we never forget Krishna.

As this month is Gita Marathon, so different devotees are going to different places to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. So, after Bhagavatam class, devotees share their realizations of distributing Bhagavad Gita. On the day of Gita Jayanti, Anshu Prabhu shared his experience of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in Sealdah.

Recitation of Bhagavad Gita verses

On Gita Jayanti, devotees like to recite all 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita. So, a special arrangement was made at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata to recite Bhagavad Gita verses in the temple hall.

A table was set up where Bhagavad Gita was kept. Flowers and flower garlands were offered to the book.  Each devotee was given a small Gita which had all 700 verses to recite.

Devotees gathered in the temple hall at around 10 am to recite the verses. The recitation began at 10:10 am. During recitation each chapter was led by different devotees. It was a wonderful experience to recite the verses together with all the devotees in front of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga. Recitation completed at around 12:30 pm.

Immediately after that HH Subhag Swami Maharaja came to temple hall to take darshan of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and to bless the devotees. Devotees were happy to get association of Maharaja; everyone began doing ecstatic kirtan. It was a wonderful way to conclude the recitation of Bhagavad Gita.

Gita Maha Yajna & special class by HH Subhag Swami Maharaj

In the evening there was Gita Maha Yajna which began at around 5 pm. Those devotees who had sponsored Bhagavad Gita participated in the yajna. Yajna kund was built in the kutir which is adjacent to temple hall. Devotees sat around the yajna kund and offered oblation to the fire while chanting the Vedic mantras and reciting Gita verses.

In the evening there was special class by HH Subhag Swami Maharaja from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.

At that end there was delicious prasadam for all.

Bhagavad Gita’s transcendental wisdom helps to transcend all miseries

Just imagine what would have been the outcome of the Mahabharat war if Arjuna would have fled the battlefield. Cunning Duryodhana guided by Sakuni would have become the ruler and under his rein, we could easily understand what would have been the plight of common men and women.

But Arjuna was fortunate because he had chosen to be with Krishna. Not just that he was even willing to listen from Krishna without any prejudice. By hearing Gita directly from Krishna, the Supreme Lord, and by applying Bhagavad Gita’s transcendental wisdom in his life, Arjuna changed his future and the outcome of the ghastly war.

In our life too, we have to fight many battles. Our battles may not be as big as that of Arjuna but whatever challenges we face have the potential to change the direction of our life.  It can either bring great glory or bring big misfortune.

It all depends upon the choices we make in our life.  If like the heroic warrior, Arjuna, we decide to turn towards Krishna then we too will win the battles of our life.

When overwhelmed with confusion and despondency Arjuna approached Krishna then Krishna did not teach him the archery skill to fight the formidable warriors on the kuru side. Nor did he give any mundane motivational talk as how not to have doubt in his own ability.

But from the beginning Krishna helped Arjuna understand his real constitutional position that he is not the mundane body but spirit soul. And as spirit soul, he is eternally related to him.

Bhagavad Gita’s transcendental wisdom helps us understand that this material world and the perishable body are temporary dwelling place for us and we should not get too much attached to it. But instead, we should focus more on coming out of this entanglement of material existence.

Krishna’s important message for us

How to do so, is also told by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. The Supreme Lord says that whatever we do, we should do it for him. We should never run away from our responsibilities and duties but whatever actions we perform its result should immediately be offered to him. He further says that we should never succumb to lust, greed and anger because these are gateways to hell.  

If we abide by the principles of Bhagavad Gita and apply Gita’s transcendental wisdom in our life, then nothing of this material world will ever disturb us.  Just like Arjuna gave the rein of his chariot to Krishna, we too should give the rein of our life to Krishna.  We too will then always emerge victorious. That victory will also gradually take us towards Krishna and free us from material entanglement.  While fighting the gruesome war at the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna always remembered Krishna.

We too should never forget Krishna but should always remember Krishna.  This is what Krishna expects us to do.

“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.” Bhagavad Gita 18.65

Once Krishna becomes the centre of our life then nothing in this material world will ever bring tears in our eyes. Instead with Krishna we will celebrate every moment of our life.  

Three reflections

• Our battles may not be as big as that of Arjuna but whatever challenges we face have the potential to change the direction of our life.
• Just like Arjuna gave the rein of his chariot to Krishna, we too should give the rein of our life to Krishna.
• While fighting the gruesome war at the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna always remembered Krishna.

Ask Yourself

• Do I remember Krishna while performing our duty?

Action Item

• List down 3 qualities of Arjuna which you like, and you want to apply in your life.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class @ Iskcon Newtown Kolkata – October 2025

Below important points are from Srimad Bhagavatam Class at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata in October 2025 which are being given by different devotees.

Durga Puja Camp 2025 Class by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu – 1^st October 2025

As part of Durga Puja Camp 2025, HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu gave Class on 1st October too.

There were three sessions:

• 1st session was from 8:15 am – 9:45 am: Prabhuji spoke on “Dharma – The Empowerer of Free Will”
• 2nd session was from 11:30 am – 2 pm: Prabhuji spoke on “Dharma – The Empowerer of Free Will”
• 3^rd session was from 5 pm onwards. Prabhuji spoke on “Bhakti – The Ultimate Karma Transformer.”

1^st Session: Dharma – The Empowerer of Free Will (8:15 am – 9:45 am)

Important Points from the Class

1. Karma – Action Matters
2. Dharma – Our responsibility
3. Choices happen under certain conditions and conditionings
4. Daiva determines conditions and conditionings.
5. Consciousness comes from soul, soul never changes. But consciousness gets contaminated.
6. We are not body, but we live through our body.
7. We need mind to function as much as we need body to function.
8. Mind is transmitter and also transformer. When inputs come to mind, sometimes mind directly transmits it and sometimes also transforms it.
9. Impression in the mind helps us to maximize or minimize the impact of information.
10. Sanskrit word for conditioning is samskara.
11. We have some scars from previous life.
12. Mind is real just like body is real. Just as body gets injured, similarly mind can get injured too.
13. If there is any injury in body, then small stimulus can lead to huge reactions.
14. Similarly, when there is mental wound, then small stimulus can lead to huge reactions.
15. Mind may have trauma.
16. Mind has impressions – positive and negative. Impressions will impel us to act in certain way.
17. Mental wound is real and brings real limitation.
18. Emotions are associated with Jnanendriyas (ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose). We perceive emotions through our senses.
19. Desires are associated with karmendriya (organs of action, hands, legs etc). When we desire something, we want to do something physically.
20. For emotions and desires, mind is the key.
21. If someone is feeling cold and we say don’t feel cold then it is not going to work.
22. With respect to emotions, it needs to be comforted. For eg, if a child is once trapped in lift and later when he is in lift then he will be emotionally disturbed, so he needs to be comforted. Krishna does not say Arjuna to control his mind when Abhimanyu was killed.
23. With respect to desires, it has to be controlled.
24. Mind -> Emotion -> information (emotion is information).   
25. Body -> sensation -> information. (sensation is also information).  
26. Information needs to be acknowledged, similar emotions.
27. Will power cannot completely change physical reality similarly will power cannot completely change mind – sometimes we need to control the mind and sometimes we need to comfort the mind.
28. For example, a handicapped person having polio cannot win a high jump.
29. We have a mind, we have to live with the mind, but we do not have to live for the mind.
30. We work with our mind, so we cannot go against the mind.
31. How to know our instinct or vritti – “Note consciously what we notice automatically”
32. There are Impressions from past – Instinct (vritti) is considered positive, impulses (vasanas) are considered negative like kama, krodha, lobha.
33. Instincts eg – kshatriya or Brahminical mentality.
34. Instinct has to be channeled but vasanas have to be curbed and cured.
35. Body is like kshetra or field. In a particular field, particular seeds can grow not all seeds.
36. Similarly, we all have different nature and abilities, so we have to identify it and work in that direction.
37. Also, in field both seeds and weed can grow. We should find seeds which can grow properly. And also find weeds that are growing and need to be curbed.
38. Mind has particular strength and weaknesses.

2^nd Session: Dharma – The Empowerer of Free Will (11:30 am – 2 pm)

Important Points from the Class

1. Impressions are formed by our previous actions. Mind is like programmed device. It is also programmable.
2. Programmed means certain impressions which are fixed. We have certain programming in our mind which is difficult to change, like our basic nature.
3. Programmable means certain impressions which can be changed, or new impressions can be created.
4. Instincts/vritti are positive and should be developed. For example, an aspiring writer should read and write more.
5. Impulses/vasanas are negative and should be given up. For example, lust, anger, and greed should be given up.  
6. Key for reprograming the mind is practice (abhyas) & vairagya.
7. Do what is constructive with persistence (abhyas) and what is harmful avoid it (vairagya). This way impressions can be developed.
8. Psychology says, “We can’t do a don’t.”  For example, if we are asked to not think of a pink monkey then we will keep thinking about a pink monkey.
9. For instinct (vrtti) we need bonds. If someone has to learn martial art, they have to find the association.
10. For impulses (vasanas) we need boundaries.
11. For everyone bonds and boundaries are required – this is universally true.
12. But which bond to form now and which boundary to create will vary from person to person.  
13. We should take responsibility for our own transformation.
14. We have to choose our battles as per time, place and circumstances.
15. By our choices we choose particular modes – goodness, passion, ignorance.
16. If we put ourselves in tamsic env. we will behave accordingly.
17. If we put ourselves in sattvic env. we will behave in that way.
18. If we do our job, then do it properly and then spirituality can be an addition. For eg. When George Harrison asked people to chant Hare Krishna in the concert, then people were upset. Prabhupada asked him to handle the situation intelligently.
19. Narada says to Yudhisthir to balance – dharma, artha, kama.
20. Being in mode of goodness means being responsible.
21. Krishna empowered Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita.
22. Talent + commitment leads to achievement.

CELEBRATING OTHERS SUCCESS_ Part 3 | His Grace Radheshyam Prabhu | Durga Puja Camp 2025

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Radheshyam Prabhu on 3^rd October 2025

• Verse Number: SB 8.8.38
• Chapter Name: The Churning of the Milk Ocean

Important points from the Class

1. Demons think of enjoying their own senses
2. Devotees want to satisfy the senses of the Lord. They won’t act independently.
3. Pure devotees are puppets in the hands of the Lord.
4. Demigods want to surrender, and they have material desires too.
5. Know how to convey displeasure that the cooperation among the devotees and Srila Prabhupada’s mission is not hampered.
6. End goal is pleasing Srila Prabhupada by our conduct.
7. Lord said demigods to give up anger during churning of ocean.
8. We should tolerate with our wisdom. For eg. Srila Prabhupada tolerated in the house of Gopal and Sally Agarwal when there was meat in the fridge. Once they were having party, eating, drinking and Srila Prabhupada in a corner was reading and doing japa.
9. Give up desire to prolong your material existence. Father with 10 daughters got his daughter married and once his son in laws were not ready to leave. One of the son in law, Dhananjaya, was not leaving at any cost. So brother in law beat him with stick and he then ran away.
10. Similarly, Mayadevi is creating so much trouble for us – rain, famine, heat, cold, disease etc. But still living entities are not ready to leave this world and go to the spiritual world.
11. Adjustment for spiritual life is glorified.
12. One man would lose temper frequently. He once slapped his wife in anger and the wife left. He then realized that I lost temper and now I have to do everything like cooking on my own.
13. While doing project, some poison will come out. Poison is faults, criticism, we may think I am doing good but still I am being criticized.
14. In one temple, one senior lady was fixed to arrange for service. But she was strong lady. One lady left the service and told his spiritual master that the in charge was arrogant. Spiritual master said she is just an agent, tolerate her nature and by doing service you are getting purified, and Srila Prabhupada is happy, and I am happy. Never quit service.
15. Even if a dissatisfied person goes to Indraloka, he will not be satisfied.
16. When gold is put in fire, it shines. When heavy rain pours on mountain, mountain gets cleansed. Any difficulty in service is meant to purify us.
17. Lord said to demigods during churning ocean – What I give you is for your good. If I do not give anything then also you should be fine. If I give to demons then don’t be angry or greedy. Never be lusty.
18. In the beginning, when they lifted Mandara mountain, both demigods and demons got injured, Lord cured them and on Garuda took them to the ocean.
19. Demons were upset that were getting tail of Vasuki, the serpent, and demigods the mouth of the snake.
20. We have desire to impress others and want to be in limelight.
21. Although demigods were mixed devotees but were submissive to the Lord. So, they agreed to go to the tail side of Vasuki.
22. When churning began, Vasuki felt vomiting sensation and poison came out of his mouth towards the demon.
23. Some instructions you get from hearing lectures from senior devotees, some feedback we get when we personally meet them.
24. Rahūgaṇa as pious soul was going to hear Srimad Bhagavatamin at Kapila ashram but on the way he became proud. But he had association of Jada Bharat and got corrected.
25. Spiritual life is difficult, but material life is more difficult.
26. If we lose association of devotees, we lose enthusiasm.
27. We should have following qualities – not losing temper, tolerating, not being greedy and lusty, not quitting the project, being obedient to the Supreme Lord and those guiding us.
28. Brahmacharis have  got distracted by women, youths by porn, some grihastas in name of taking care of house get distracted.
29. God knows best, be convinced about this. God gives what we can handle. Krishna gives us things which we can handle.
30. In anartha-Nivrtti stage poison comes out. We think so many anarthas are coming out.
31. Before coming to Krishna Consciousness, we keep doing sinful things comfortably. But when we become purer, we become sensitive to sinful activities.
32. We cannot be the enjoyer, only Krishna is the enjoyer. Some in Krishna Consciousness, even sannyasis fell down when they tried to become enjoyer.
33. In Symantaka jewel pastime, 4 people were killed.
34. Lord took Kaustaba jewel and Lord gave halahal to Lord Shiva to make him glorious.
35. Krishna does everything for our good.
36. Shiva handling halahal is like our spiritual master holding our halahal of anarthas.
37. Demigods had full faith in Lord.
38. Unnecessary quarrels should be avoided.
39. Vishnu changed his form into beautiful form of Mohini Murti.
40. She was looking with sidelong glances to men. Women look pocket of men, their money, influence and power. Man’s attraction for women is towards the form of women. Refer – Power of visual – YouTube video, scientific study.
41. Each demon thought that Mohini Murti was looking towards them.
42. In this world if we are attracted to the tenderness of women then we will not get Krishna prem.
43. Demons were cheated by lust. Lust is like iron shackles, because of which one cannot do anything great.
44. Do we want to grow in our devotional life or want to be envious of others.
45. We should think about our own progress.
46. Competition is good, if it is healthy. If we see some devotee quoting verses, then we should learn from him how to memorize verses.
47. One should know that the other person is not enemy but fellow devotee.
48. Healthy competition takes place when you remain friends even while competing.
49. Healthy competition – It brings out the best in you to perform better & It creates strong bond between the members.
50. In spiritual world there can be more than one best.
51. We should have “Vaikuntha thinking” and mindset as given in Srimad Bhagavatam.
52. Krishna is more attracted to our mood of service and gratitude than magnitude.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Nimai Anand Prabhu on 7^th October 2025

• Verse Number: ŚB 11.6.14
• Chapter Name: The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhāsa

Important Points from the Class

1. Today is Sarad Purnima and also beginning of Kartik month.
2. Krishna is all loving Supreme Controller.
3. Even Brahma and other demigods are completely under the control of Krishna.
4. Just like ox is controlled by a rope tied to its nose, similarly Krishna controls us through time factor.
5. In one day of Brahma, 14 times cabinets change – Demigods like Indra, Chandra, Varuna etc. changes.
6. Brahma was stopped at the door in Dwarka and then Krishna asked the doorkeeper to ask which Brahma.
7. When Krishna comes devotees become fearless, whereas demons are fearful because they have attachment for material desires.
8. All Krishna wants from us is that we also love him.
9. Supreme Controller chooses to be controlled by the rope of love of mother Yashoda.
10. Srila Prabhupada says that “just if one is a devotee, it does not mean that he can control Krishna.”
11. Love means “not to give up love for Krishna.”
12. Once Yashoda says to Krishna that you are monkey and Krishna said that ok I will go to live in forest and then Yashoda became afraid.
13. Everyone cannot bind Krishna. Once one gopi tried to bind Krishna but could not bind, so she asked Krishna how to bind you. Krishna said that you stand here, and I will show you how to do it. And Krishna started binding her by showing her how to bind.
14. Mother Yashoda’s position is much higher than Shiva, Brahma and even Lakshmi.
15. Principle of Raslila is that Krishna is willing to dance as per the desire of his devotees. And devotees have only desire and that is to please Krishna. Best way to describe Raslila is – sarva dharmyaa parityaja..
16. Love means sacrifice. Krishna sees that gopis is sacrificing everything but do not expect anything from Krishna.
17. Krishna is always conquered by love of Srimati Radharani, so this month is of Srimati Radharani.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Srila Prabhupada on 11^th October 2025

• Verse: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.2, Dec. 14, 1974, Bombay
• Chapter Name: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
• Link: https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741214sbbom/

1. Consciousness is the symptom of life, and that develops one after another.
2. This human life is after many, many evolutionary process.
3. Preya means to fulfill immediate necessities of life, śreya means the goal of life.
4. Nigama-kalpa-taru [SB 1.1.3]. Nigama means Vedic knowledge, and kalpa-taru means the tree from where you can get anything you desire.
5. In the spiritual world, the houses are made of touchstone, cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu, cintāmaṇi, the touchstone.
6. Jñānam, real knowledge, is to understand that I am spiritual being, I am not this material body, and I belong to the spiritual world.
7. Spiritual world means full consciousness of the existence of God, and material world means full forgetfulness of God. 
8. We are suffering on account of being on the material platform.
9. If you keep yourself always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then even if you possess this material body, you will be in the spiritual world.
10. For one who is fully absorbed in Krishna Consciousness, his material gross and subtle body get dissolved.
11. When I become free from all attachment of this material world, that is called hṛdaya-granthi-bhedanam.
12. Real ātma-darśana, real liberation, real consciousness is separation from this material attachment—voluntarily, forcefully, or by knowledge, that is required.

Krishna’s open invitation to the residents of the material world

Many Indians, especially IT professionals and their parents, are broken hearted. The US government has increased H1B visa fee exorbitantly. So, now working in a Multinational Corporation in Silicon Valley in USA and earning in dollars have become very difficult.

Parents of IT professionals are also upset because they won’t get an opportunity to boast in front of their neighbours and relatives that my son (or daughter) is working in USA.

People think that living in a country economically better than India like USA will help them to live luxuriously and also happily. But luxury and happiness do not always go hand in hand.  A rich man can be unhappy. And a not so rich man can be happy. Moreover, material luxury is never going to be our constant companion.

Everything material comes with an expiry date.  For example, people work hard to get a degree so that they can get a dream job.  But after few decades, he is asked to quit.  His degree from a reputed institute, plethora of knowledge, work experience no longer has market value because he has reached a certain threshold age like 60 years.

What to talk about being forced to leave the job, a day comes when he is asked to leave his body too because his time to live in the body has expired.

This transition in a person’s life is not a phenomenon of a developing nation like India, but it also happens in economically well to do country like USA. Death spares none, neither rich or poor, men or women, H1B visa holder or those desperately waiting to get the visa.

When someone asked Prabhupada, “Why death rate in India is so high?” Prabhupada said, “Death rate is same everywhere – 100%.”   Even if you go to moon or mars, you cannot live permanently there.

Krishna wants us to become part of his spiritual family

But for us, the residents of the material world, there is one place, if we go there, we can live permanently. That place is far more superior than USA or any planet of this universe. There we can live without any fear of deportation back to this material world. The visa to that place does not come with any expiry date. And most importantly the owner of that beautiful place, Krishna, is eager to have us there.  

Krishna who is the Lord of all the universes – both spiritual and material – comes to invite us to that beautiful world where death and suffering does not exist. In that spiritual world Krishna lives happily with his devotees. And he wants us, the residents of the material world, to become part of that spiritual family. The eligibility to go to the spiritual world is also not too tough.

First and foremost, we should have strong desire to be there. Then as per the guidelines of Krishna and his devotees, we should sincerely chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra, stop all sinful activities like meat eating, intoxication, gambling and illicit sex.

By following this process our heart will become pure and the door to the spiritual world will open for us. So, why to be desperate to go to a country where we are not welcome? Instead, let us be desperate to go to Krishna’s abode where he is eagerly waiting for us.

Three Reflections

• Luxury and happiness do not always go hand in hand.  A rich man can be unhappy. And a not so rich man can be happy.
• A day comes when we are asked to leave our body too.
• Krishna wants the residents of the material world to become part of his spiritual family.

Ask Yourself

• Are we eager to go back to the spiritual world?

Action Item

• Read description of the spiritual world from Srimad Bhagavatam – Description of the Kingdom of God

Srimad Bhagavatam Class @ Iskcon Newtown Kolkata – September 2025

Below important points are from Srimad Bhagavatam Class at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata in Septembet 2025 which were given by different devotees.

Srila Bhaktivinod Thakura Appearance Day Class by HG Acharyaratna Prabhu – 5^th September 2025

Important points from the Class

1. 13 apasampradayas sprouted after disappearance of prominent acharyas..In movies and TV serials, Bengali characters in dubious role were shown as vaisnavas.
2. Srila Prabhupada first wanted to make Iskcon headquarter in Kolkata provided he got Victoria memorial, then he wanted to make it in Mayapur, but when it was difficult to get land in Mayapur, he wanted to it make in Birnagar, birthplace of Bhaktivinod Thakura.
3. Bhaktivinod Thakura started writing poem when he was 2 years old, when he was 7 years old he had read Ramayana, Mahabharata, at 9 years he started learning astrology, at 10 years started inquiring spiritual subject matters.
4. Bhaktivinod Thakura wrote a poem – Sri Chaitanya Geet.
5. With difficulty he got Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta in Orissa and after reading his life got transformed.
6. Bhaktivinod Thakura was an efficient magistrate. He worked from 10 am to 1 pm, 1 pm – 2pm, lunch and rest and from 2pm to 5 pm again worked. He worked for 6 hours but was so efficient that he did work equivalent of 15 magistrates.
7. Bhaktivinod Thakura wrote books in the night like Srila Prabhupada.
8. Bhaktivinod Thakura opened 2005 nama hattas.
9. He never wasted time, would always wear watch, was never late for meeting, go before time to catch train.
10. He wrote a book in 1896– Life and Percepts of Lord Chaitanya and sent to the western world. Predicted soon a great devotee will come and spread Krishna Consciousness all over world.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.05.46 – 47 by HG Sri Nitai Prabhu – 6^th Sep 2025

Important points from the class

• Two things must go on: deity worship which is called pāñcarātriki-vidhi and hearing about the Supreme Lord from Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and other Vedic literature which is called bhāgavata-vidhi.
• Life is transient. At any moment we can die. Therefore, those who are advanced devotee, they want to see that “I have got very short period of life at my disposal…” Therefore, he is very anxious to utilize every moment for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is madhyama-adhikārī. Avyartha-kālatvam.
• Faith is created after reading Bhagavad-gītā. If you read Bhagavad-gītā carefully and if you actually understand Bhagavad-gītā as it is, then faith will be created. Without reading Bhagavad-gītā, there is no question of faith in Kṛṣṇa.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Sri Ram Raghav Prabhu – 16^th September 2025

Chapter Name: Narada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.50 – 52

Important points from the class

• Krishna does not want us to live in this world because misery keeps on coming in this world again and again.
• This is why after Bhagavad Gita 4.7 and Bhagavad Gita 4.8, Krishna says verse Bhagavad Gita 4.9.
• In BG 4.9, Krishna says that we should get liberated from this world as here miseries do not stop.
• Although children are mischievous but still parents take care, similarly demons are taken care by the Lord although they are against God.
• In Iskcon Juhu temple, one person was coming to take khichdi prasadam daily but one day when he was asked to chant Hare Krishna he refused and left. In the night, the devotee who was distributing prasadam, got a dream. Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari came in his dream and said, “I am giving him prasadam daily then what is your problem. Although he is not chanting Hare Krishna but at least he is taking prasadam.”
• Lord does not have any envy in his heart either for devotees or demons, he is most merciful.
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says to Amogha who was envious of him to free himself from the impurity of envy.
• When Lord kills demons then they get benefitted, they get liberated, but impersonal liberation.
• In this age we can be in touch with the Lord by chanting his holy name, Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
• Demigods pray, people of satya yuga pray that they want to take birth in Bharart in Kaliyuga because this age has great benediction that we can come quickly in connection with Lord by chanting “Hare Krishna.”
• Devotees should be convinced that no one can be happy without Krishna in this world.   
• Gap between two problems is called happiness in this world.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Sri Nitai Prabhu – 20^th September 2025

Chapter Name:  The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhāsa

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.6.8

Important points from the class

1. Lord Krishna is although inconceivable, but he is approachable.
2. Devotees come to know that I am being affected by different modes – satya, rajas, tamo.
3. Nahusa got the post of Indra, and he got affected, he became proud and became a python.
4. But Lord never gets affected by anything material.
5. First category of people is those who think, “I need but I do not want to serve others.” 2^nd category think, “I need, and then I will serve.”  3rd category, like jnanis neither want anything nor serve anyone.
6. Lord Narayana do not want anything, but they just want to serve.
7. We are able to understand Krishna by the mercy of acharyas who did not take anything from the society but always wanted to serve the society.
8. Whether the Lord is in spiritual world or material world, he just wants to serve.
9. Anything we see with propensity to enjoy, we get attached to material modes but if we see anything with the desire to serve then we are free from the material modes.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Radharaman Prabhu – 23^rd September 2025

Chapter Name:  The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhāsa

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.6.11

Important points from the class

• This verse talks that how all are meditating on Krishna – always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna.
• Four aspects of Bhakti Yoga – karma, tyaga, jnana, dhyana.
• We get many times attached to our ideas but important thing is to meditate on Krishna.
• Activities which help in chanting – breathing, beads (one bead at a time), back should be erect, brothers i.e. association of devotees.  
• Material world is meant for crying – we can cry for Krishna or maya.
• Price to enter Back to Godhead is laulyam i.e. greed to serve the Lord.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Nimai Anand Prabhu – 26^th September 2025

Chapter Name:  The Yadu Dynasty Retires to Prabhāsa

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.6.13

Translation of verse SB 11.6.13:

“O omnipotent Lord, in Your incarnation as Trivikrama, You raised Your leg like a flagpole to break the shell of the universe, allowing the holy Ganges to flow down, like a banner of victory, in three branches throughout the three planetary systems. By three mighty steps of Your lotus feet, Your Lordship captured Bali Mahārāja, along with his universal kingdom. Your lotus feet inspire fear in the demons by driving them down to hell and fearlessness among Your devotees by elevating them to the perfection of heavenly life. We are sincerely trying to worship You, our Lord; therefore may Your lotus feet kindly free us from all of our sinful reactions.”

Important points from the class

1. Everyone in this world is looking for shelter because this is our nature.
2. Jivatma being tastha sakti, will either take shelter of Krishna’s internal energy (antharanga sakti) or his external energy (bahiranga sakti).
3. This material world is unnatural for living entities.
4. The different shelters we take in this world are – money, family members, building relationships with big people like Prime Minister, businessmen etc, body, house, land, police, court etc.
5. As we have fear and insecurity, so we take shelter of above things.
6. The more we absorb in Krishna less fear we will have.
7. Those who live in illusion and like to live in illusion eg. demons, are fearful of lotus feet of the Lord.
8. But the devotees become fearless by taking shelter of the Supreme Lord.
9. Vamandeva always stays with Bali Maharaja, occasionally comes to meet Indra.
10. We should have right attitude to approach the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord which destroys all sins.
11. This becomes possible when we continue to hear about the glories of the Lord daily by reading Srimad Bhagavagtam and by doing harinam like chanting.
12. Sravanam and kirtanam help in smaranam.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Acharyaratna Prabhu – 27^th September 2025

Today was the beginning of Durga Puja camp. Students from different colleges like IIT, NIT and other premium institutes came for the camp.

Devotees who came for the camp went for “Kolkata Dham” darshan today.

HG Acharyaratna Prabhu spoke about Kolkata Dham

Important points from the class

1. Durga is external energy of Krishna.
2. She destroys the world as per the desire of Krishn – mayadhyaksena prakrtih
3. She punishes sinful people with trident.
4. Krishna says material energy of mine i.e maya, durga, is very difficult to overcome – daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī/ mama māyā duratyayā.
5. But those who take Krishna’s shelter can overcome maya.
6. In Chaitanya Bhagavat there is description of Lord Chaitanya coming to Kolkata in Baranagar, met a devotee Raghunatha Upadhyaya.
7. When Lord Chaitanya met him, he started reciting Srimad Bhagavatam.
8. He started reciting with great joy and Mahaprabhu started dancing.
9. He was reciting with heart filled with heart, he recited for 7-9 hours. Mahaprabhu said you are the best reciter of Bhagavatam, he gave him the name – Bhagavatacharya.
10. Mahaprabhu said that you are Shyamanjari in spiritual world.  
11. Bhaktivinod Thakura wrote an article in 1897 on Bhagavatacharya.
12. He wrote, Kolkata is non – different from Vrindavan.
13. In Vrindavan there are many kunjas of sakhi, Baranagar is part of Shyamanjari kunja where Krishna is served by recitation of Srimad Bhagavatam.
14. Bhaktivinod Thakura writes, “Most unfortunate that we abandon gold in our courtyard but search for it outside the country.”
15. Kolkata is part of Gaur Mandala Bhumi where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is served by reciting Srimad Bhagavatam. Here Srila Prabhupada appeared and he served Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by writing commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam.
16. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu travelled to Puri via Kolkata.
17. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu passed through Adi Ganga, which is near Tollygang, where Srila Prabhupada appeared.
18. Near Kolkata is Kumar hatta, birth placed Isvara Puri, spiritual master of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took little dust from that placed and many devotees followed, so much dust was taken, that place became a pond.
19. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is at following place always – where Sacimata cooks (Mahaprabhu comes and eat), wherever Lord Nityananda dances, in Srivas Angan and in the house of Raghav Pandit which is in Panihatti.
20. Here famous Panihati cida dahi festival took place.
21. Without Lord Nityananda mercy we can’t get mercy of Lord Chaitanya.
22. It takes 45 minutes from Newtown to go to Panihatti.
23. Kolkata is situated near bank of Ganges, Lord Chaitanya and his associates performed pastime.
24. Kharda, hear Kolkata, is headquarter of Lord Nityananda. With his wives, Srimati Vasudha Devi and Srimati Jahnava Devi, he performed pastimes.
25. Lord Nityananda came to Patharghata, performed Sankirtan.
26. Adi Saptagram – gold merchants stayed there who came to Kolkata when British made Kolkata their headquarters. Srila Prabhupada’s ancestors were in Adi Saptagram.
27. Gadhadhar Das, incarnation of effulgence of Gadhadhar Pandit, was upset with Kazi who was cruel and went to his house in the middle of the night and boldly preached to him. But he did with love and compassion which melted the heart of Kazi. Kazi said, “You go home from tomorrow onwards I will chant “Hari.”” As soon as Gadhadhar Das heard him chanting “Hari”, he said to Kazi that now you are delivered.
28. Bhaktivinod Thakura made this place his preaching center and preached to aristocratic people, uprooted apasampradayas. Built his home here, Bhakti Bhavan where he found kurma sila which he gave to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
29. Bhaktivinod Thakura revived teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
30. Bhaktivinod Thakura could have lived in Puri or Mayapur but he choose to leave his body from Kolkata.
31. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was born in Puri but he mostly lived in Kolkata. He made headquarters of Gaudiya Math in Kolkata. He also left this world from Kolkata. This is special place where great acharyas choose to leave their body.
32. For Iskcon, Kolkata is special because this is birthplace of Srila Prabhupada.
33. Lord performs pastime is called Sri Kshetra where one who does bhajan gets 1000 times benefit. But where Lord’s devotees appear is called sripad kshetra where one performs bhajan gets 1 million times mercy.
34. Srila Prabhupada said if you serve in Mayapur, you will get 1000 times my mercy but in Kolkata my mercy will be 10000 as this is my birthplace.
35. Srila Prabhupada started first life membership program in Kolkata and first RY in India in Kolkata.
36. Srila Prabhupada wanted that there should be 10 temples in Kolkata.
37. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja was first temple President of Kolkata, he became president 10 times. HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj was first GBC of Kolkata.
38. HH Radhanath Swami Maharaja aid that it may be very difficult to build a gorgeous temple in Kolkata but we should just try and Krishna will then give his mercy.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Padma Netra Prabhu – 28^th September 2025

Chapter Name:  Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for Vyāsadeva

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.11

Important points from the class

1. Prakashananda Saraswati was very learned, had 10, 000 disciples.
2. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said to Prakashananda Saraswati, “I am low. I am fool, so my guru said that you do not read Vedanta, you just do Sankirtan – harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam.”  So, I do harinam.
3. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu asked his guru, “What mantra you gave that I have become mad?” Guru said that it is the nature of mahamantra that anyone who chants become mad.
4. Everyone in this world is mad – for women, for money, for house, for post, for Krishna.
5. Better to be mad for Krishna.
6. One life, so give to Krishna.
7. Santana Goswami Rupa goswami very learned, very rich but gave up everything for Krishna.
8. Sanatana Goswami was very learned. He knew Bengali, Sanskrit, Arabic.
9. To Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he said, “People think that I am learned but I am fool because I know everything but real knowledge, I do not have that who am I, where I have to go, to whom to worship, how to worship, why to worship.”
10. We should go to guru as a foolish person – tad viddhi praṇipātena
11. When a so-called learned man asked the boatman while crossing the river on a boat, “Do you know about the waves of the ocean? The boatman said, “No”.  The scholar said your 25% life is wasted.  Then he asked, “Do you know about the sun, how it rises and sets? The boatman said, “No.”  The scholar said, “Your 50% life is wasted.” The scholar then asked about how the wind flows, the boatman said, “No, I don’t know.” The scholar said, “Your 75% life is wasted.” Then there was thunderstorm, and boat was about to sink. The boatman asked, “Do you know how to swim.” The scholar said, “No.”  The boatman jumped in the river began swimming and said, “Your 100% life is wasted.”
12. Srila Prabhupada said that we know many things but do not know how to cross the material ocean.
13. So along with material knowledge spiritual knowledge is also very important.
14. This material knowledge will remain for some time with us; one has to retire after certain period in this world.
15. One doctor was very knowledgeable but when he became old, he even forgot to take paracetamol when he got fever.
16. Real knowledge is to have devotion for Krishna.
17. Srila Prabhupada at the age of 70 spread Bhagavad knowledge all over the world. So, we should read Srimad bhagavatam daily.

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Prem Swarup Prabhu – 29^th September 2025

Chapter Name:  Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for Vyāsadeva

Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.17

Important points from the class

1. Srila Prabhupada says topmost science of spirituality is Srimad Bhagavatam. It is the king of all Vedic literature. It is topmost theological science.
2. Jiva Goswami says Srimad Bhagavatam appeared on the tongue of Vyasadeva. This literature exists eternally.
3. Yoga means to connect with the Supreme i.e. Krishna.
4. Time magazine says the most exported commodity from India is “Hare Krishna.” 
5. Lord as Paramatma maintains everyone.
6. Pracetas did not ask for wife, but Lord offered them a wife because their father, Prācīnabarhis, had left home. So, the Lord took the responsibility of marrying Pracetas.
7. When someone becomes a devotee, accounts of a person are handled by Krishna not by Yamaraj.
8. Krishna gets engaged in the life of a devotee. Mother cow licks calf and makes it clean, similarly Krishna personally interferes to clean all dust from the heart of his devotee.
9. We should identify ourselves more with Krishna than with family and society. Family and society will remain for this life only but Krishna for eternity.
10. If a jiva becomes a worm in stool then no one will go with that person, but Krishna will go with us as Paramatma. So, can anyone love us more than Krishna?
11. Disciple means someone is there to discipline him or is above him.
12. In Vedic literature, eating nonveg is a concession for those who do not have control on their tongue, but it is not a license to kill animals and eat. But unfortunately, people misinterpret the Vedas and think the holy Vedas sanctions nonveg food. For eg. one butcher opened a slaughterhouse and named it as “Kali Mandir,” it is so abominable.
13. Anything which does not have connection with Krishna will agitate the mind.
14. Vyasadeva after writing literature became despondent as he had not glorified Krishna sufficiently.  
15. Since people are despondent, so they even commit suicide. Recently there have been 5 suicides in IIT. Everybody is suicidal, have stress, and is despondent because Krishna is not in their life.
16. Any pursuit other than Krishna will make us despondent.
17. If we know everything but do not know how to cross the material ocean, then it is useless.

Durga Puja Camp 2025 Class by HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu – 30^th September 2025

As part of Durga Puja Camp 2025, HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu arrived at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata and gave class on 30^th September and 1st October 2025.

On 30th September, there were three sessions:

• 1st session was from 8:15 am – 9:45 am : Prabhuji spoke on “Karma – The Universal Logic of Life.”
• 2nd session was from 11 am – 1:30 pm : Prabhuji spoke on “Destiny – The Invisible Mover of Life Events.”
• 3rd session in evening was Question & Answer session from 4pm – 6:30 pm.

Karma – The Universal Logic of Life

Important Points from the Class

1. Karma refers to action, reaction to action, consequences of action, selection of action
2. “CIT” means to be conscious.
3. Karma: Action has results
4. Science too talks about cause and effect.
5. Nature does not work on morality but on strength.
6. When one says why bad things happen to good people, then it means that they expect order in universe.
7. There may be past actions contributing to present result.
8. In western world more cats and dogs are in park than children. Many ladies say, “they are “stay at home dog mom.””
9. Sometimes life will be unfair, and we have to live with it.
10. In atheism there are many philosophies – one is absurdism. Proponents of absurdism think “life is useless so only question to ask is when to commit suicide.”
11. Many people think “sometimes God is orderly and sometimes arbitrary” which is incorrect.
12. We should do our karma. Eg. Arjuna and Bhima were preparing for fight.
13. Actions do lead to good results eg. Pandavas.
14. Abrahamic theism is without reincarnation. Reincarnation allows us to increase the frame of reference.
15. Our past karma is always a mixed bag.
16. Sometimes one inherits property, and sometimes one inherits debts.
17. Life is unfair but not illogical or arbitrary.
18. Karma is for encouragement not for judgement.
19. Our actions matter even if they don’t seem to matter.
20. Even if at present, it does not seem that our actions matter but slowly our bad karma will go away by doing good karma (actions).
21. Life may be unfair now but may not be unfair always.

Destiny – The Invisible Mover of Life Events

Second Session was from 11 am – 1:30 pm. In the second session HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu spoke on the topic: Destiny – The Invisible Mover of Life Events

Important points from the Class

1. In scriptures, no one suffered is said that you suffered because of your past karma.eg Sita, Draupadi.
2. Let’s talk about destiny.
3. Our life story is not just choices and consequences. Conditions influence our choices.
4. For example, someone has an opportunity to go abroad for better career, but a family member may get sick, and he cannot go.
5. Choices are not made in isolation; they are made under certain conditioning.
6. Conditions -> Choices -> Consequences
7. Destiny is past unprocessed Karma: Collections of Past Actions, Uncontrollable things, Unpredictable, Already fixed.
8. Many things are shaped in our life at the time of birth.
9. Which family we are born into is one major installment of past karma.
10. When we are going though negative karma then whatever we do goes in a wrong way.
11. Destiny -> Uncontrollable ..When drunk driver drives in opposite direction and hit us.
12. Destiny -> Inevitable..Certain things which is bound to happen will happen.
13. Once act of betrayal can have lifelong devastating experience for us.
14. How our Past Karma and Present Karma affect our life:
15. Past Karma (50%) + Present Karma (50%): Output: 100%. Person is Super effective. E.g. Pandavas performed yajna and were prosperous, got Indraprastha.
16. Past Karma (-50%) + Present Karma (50%): Output: 0. Person is Under effective eg. Pandavas persecuted when they were child.
17. Past Karma (-50%) + Present Karma (-50%): Output: -100%. Person is doomed. eg Duryodhana schemes.
18. Past Karma (+50%) + Present Karma (-50%): Output: 0. Person is destructive  eg Duryodhana before Pandavas arrived in the kingdom as children with Kunti.
19. We can change impact of destiny – we desire, we deliberate and we decide
20. 4 things can happen in our life -> disease, debt, death, betrayal
21. Our present actions do make a difference, it matters.
22. We should make our present karma positive whether our past karma is bad.
23. Doing our present karma properly is dharma.

Wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada – Part 2

Let us reflect upon few wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada.

Devotees complain to Srila Prabhupada when they are asked to have only two gulab jamuns

Once there was a challenge to keep devotees happy. In New Vrindavan, devotees were leading an austere life.  Prasadam was very simple. I had gone there in 1977.  In breakfast devotees were taking oat water, lunch was rice, sabji and sag (spinach) which they would get from nearby jungle.  But on Sunday there was big feast – paneer, sweet rice, halwa, gulab jamun etc.

Devotees would take around ten gulab jamuns. Kirtananda Swami said, “No one should do sense gratification. Take only two gulab jamuns.” Devotees were unhappy. They complained to Prabhupada. Prabhupada said, “You all eat as many gulab jamuns as you want to eat but Kirtananda will have only two.”

How Prabhupada encourages a 12-year-old boy

Srila Prabhupada would deal with devotees in amazing way. Once a 12-year-old boy wanted to make lunch for Prabhupada. Prabhupada wanted to encourage him, so he allowed him to make lunch. But everything was a mess. Rice was sticking, chapati went cracker, sabji was not cooked properly. But when the boy asked, “How was the lunch?” Prabhupada said, “It was nice.”

Prabhupada wants the devotees to not have pride

Yamuna Devi Dasi was an expert cook. She was making chapati for Prabhupada. But she got little pride.  She started thinking that my chapatis are so nice – fluffy and soft. Once after serving chapati to Prabhupada, she asked, “How are the chapatis?” Prabhupada said, “Not so good.”

He then asked Satswarup Maharaja to make chapatis. He made chapatis but its shape was that of India and was not cooked properly. But Prabhupada said that the chapatis are nice. When Prabhupada was saying this Yamuna Devi was sitting there.

When we preach then we have the power of entire guru parampara

A godbrother of mine was very kind-hearted. He joined Iskcon in Montreal Canada, in 1968. He was not a charismatic preacher, not a great kirtaniya. Once Prabhupada said that in Europe I want to open a centre. Shivananda Prabhu volunteered to go to Europe. He was in the movement just for 6 months. He opened first temple of Iskcon in Europe. Faith in guru and sastra very important. Most important prayer is

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

“By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.”

Each of you can do the same thing. Most of you are having more knowledge and experience then Shivananda Prabhu. When you go to preach, power of entire guru parampara is with you.

Businessmen could not hold their tears when they saw Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada once went to airport. At that time people could come inside the airport. Hundreds of devotees were there doing kirtan. When Prabhupada came out, devotees started paying him obeisances.  There were two businessmen at the airport, they were well dressed. When they saw devotees love for Prabhupada, tears started coming from their eyes. Prabhupada was like Sukhdev Goswami, he entered everyone’s heart.

Debraha baba composes a sloka to glorify Srila Prabhupada

Debraha baba was very old. Some said, he was 250 years old, some said 500 years old and some said 750 years old. No one knew his actual age.  Great political leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Indira Gandhi would go to meet him.

He stayed on a tree branch near the Ganges. One of my godbrothers went to meet him. When he saw the Hare Krishna devotees, he climbed down from the tree to meet them. He compiled one sloka glorifying Prabhupada.

(These wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada are based on the class given by His Grace Sarvadrik Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, on 18th Aug 2025 at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata).

For more wonderful pastimes of Srila Prabhupada, read – Pastimes of Srila Prabhupada – Part 1

Three Reflections

• Prabhupada appreciates the service attitude of a 12-year-old boy.
• Prabhupada wants the devotees to not have pride.
• When we preach then we have the power of entire guru Parampara.

Ask Yourself

• Am I doing service in Krishna Consciousness movement with right consciousness as per the guidelines of Prabhupada?

Action Item

• Reflect upon the service you did for Krishna, and you looked down upon others thinking that you are the best.
• Take a vow to give up pride and superiority complex and appreciate others for their efforts.

Pastimes of Srila Prabhupada – Part 1

We recently celebrated, 129^th Vyasa Puja of Srila Prabhupada.  On this occasion let us reflect upon few of the pastimes of Srila Prabhupada and the lessons we learn from these pastimes.

There are two Bhagavats – one is “book bhagavat” & another is “person bhagavat.”

We cannot understand “book bhagavata” without “person bhagavat.”

We understand book by the help of devotees, by their teachings and examples. Srila Prabhupada was a “person bhagavat.” By his personal examples, he showed how to be always Krishna conscious.

Just as Krishna comes, similarly his pure devotees come to this world. They come from the Lord’s personal abode like Vrindavan. Srila Prabhupada came from Vrindavan to this material world to take us back to Krishna’s abode.

While he was here, Srila Prabhupada performed many pastimes, let us medidate upon few of those pastimes.

Lord Krishna gives Kadamba flower garland to Srila Prabhupada

Before establishing Iskcon, Srila Prabhupada started “League of devotees” in Jhansi. There he was staying with his first disciple, Acharya Prabhakar. Once it was Janmashtami, Acharya Prabhakar was on a business trip and Srila Prabhupada was alone in the house. When Acharya Prabhakar came in the night, he saw Srila Prabhupada in ecstasy. He was playing mridanga and was dancing. 

Prabhupada was wearing a beautiful garland made of Kadamba flower. The whole atmosphere was filled with the fragrance of kadamba flowers. Acharya Prabhakar was astonished.  He was thinking how can Srila Prabhupada get the garland of this flower.

First, it was not the season for Kadamba flower and also in entire Jhansi, there are no Kadamba flowers. Seeing Prabhupada in bliss, he thought he will ask this question to Prabhupada next day morning.

He asked next morning to Srila Prabhupada, “Last night you were wearing a garland made of Kadamba flowers, from where you got this garland? Also, why were you dancing in such a great joy playing mridanga?”  Srila Prabhupada said, “Yesterday Lord Krishna appeared, and he gave me the Kadamba garland.” Prabhupada further said, “When I tried to touch his feet, he disappeared.”

Power of Srila Prabhupada’s names

As the name of Krishna is powerful so is Prabhupada’s name.  One of my friends, Aindra Prabhu, was attacked by a brahma rakshasa in dream. He chanted Narasimha mantra, but the monster did not go. He then chanted Hare Krishna mahamantra and the brahma rakshasa too chanted Hare Krishna Mahamantra. 

My friend thought I have to die now. Then he began chanting Prabhupada’s name and then there was no more brahma rakshasa.

Krishna’s mercy upon those who perform morning sadhana

Srila Prabhupada said to one devotee, “Your painting is window to spiritual world.” A devotee said to Prabhupada that he wants to join an art class to refine his skill. Srila Prabhupada said, “It is not required. If you want to become an expert artist, do one thing, follow morning program – from mangala arati to Srimad Bhagavatam Class. Krishna will give you all skill required to serve him.”

Krishna says in Bhagavad Gia 10.10.  

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ
bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam
dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ
yena mām upayānti te

Translation

“To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

And we see the result. Devotees have produced so many beautiful paintings of Krishna and his devotees.

Prabhupada knows how to convince people

Srila Prabhupada instructed one devotee, “You become the temple president.” The devotee said, “I am not qualified.”  But Prabhupada insisted. Devotee was saying, “I will spoil everything. You give me some other service.”  Srila Prabhupada said then take sannyas.

He said, “I am a married man, and I have son. How can I take sannyas? I can do anything you say but do not ask me to take sannyas.”

Prabhupada said, “Ok, then become temple president.”

(These pastimes of Srila Prabhupada are based on the class given by His Grace Sarvadrik Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, on 18th Aug 2025 at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata).

Three Reflections

• Krishna appeared during Janmashtami and gave Kadamba flower garland to Srila Prabhupada.
• Prabhupada’s name saved a devotee.
• Srila Prabhupada said to a devotee, “If you want to become an expert artist, do one thing, follow morning program – from mangala arati to Srimad Bhagavatam Class. Krishna will give you all skill required to serve him.”

Ask Yourself?

• Have I read Srila Prabhupada’s biography – Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta?

Action Item

• If not, then please read it here – Śrīla Prabhupāda-līlāmṛta

This Durga Puja let us fulfil the desire of Goddess Durga, sister of Lord Krishna

When Lord Krishna was to appear in this world, he also asked Goddess Durga to appear. So, as per the desire of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, Goddess Durga took birth as the daughter of Yashoda and Nanda Maharaja in Vrindavan.

And later she was exchanged with Krishna by Vasudeva and brought to Mathura in the prison house of Kamsa. When Kamsa tried to kill her thinking that she could be the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva then she slipped from his hand and said to Kamsa that the personality who is to kill him has already appeared.

After saying this she disappeared and appeared in different places in India where she is worshipped by different names.  

Srimad Bhagavatam says, “After speaking to Kaṁsa in this way, the goddess Durgā, Yoga-māyā, appeared in different places, such as Vārāṇasī, and became celebrated by different names, such as Annapūrṇā, Durgā, Kālī and Bhadrā.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.4.13

At different places Goddess Durga is today worshipped. Nine-day Durga Puja festival is especially dedicated to her.

Right now, whole India is celebrating Durga Puja.

Why ask Goddess Durga things of this world?

But when we are worshipping Goddess Durga especially during Durga Puja then it is important that we worship her with proper consciousness. We should observe the festival in such a way that it makes her happy.  We should pray to her for blessings and benedictions which will give great joy to her heart and will bring great benefit to us too.

Most of the time, worshippers of Goddess Durga, known as saktas, ask her for material benefit.  They generally ask – secure and high paying job, a beautiful house, a loyal spouse, healthy body, something for children, car, bike, scooty, laptop, iPhone and so on.

Now let us ask ourselves that even if Goddess Durga fulfil these desires, then are these things going to make us happy or keep us happy forever?

How long anything of this material world remains with us? Maybe for 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, maybe for entire life. What after that? At the time of death everything will be taken away from us and we will be given another body.

The body can be of a human being, or it can be of an animal, bird, reptile, insect too. The type of body which we will get will depend upon our karma.  If we have done good karma, then next life will be good and if we have done something bad then next life will be terrible.

Best thing to ask Goddess Durga this Durga Puja

So, why ask something from Durga Devi, which is temporary, which will keep us bound in different material bodies and in this material world only.

So, will it not be better to ask from her something which will be with us not only for this lifetime but forever. 

Considering all these, this Durga Puja, let us do something which will please Durga Devi.

As Goddess Durga appeared to fulfil the desire of Krishna, so let us pray to her so that we too can fulfil the wish of Krishna. Krishna’s desire is that we become his devotee, chant his holy names like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, and return back to his spiritual kingdom.

When we will dedicate our life to Lord Krishna, then Goddess Durga, sister of Krishna, will be happy, and we will be happy forever too. In this life too we will live happily with our family members and in next life we will be with Krishna’s family in the spiritual world.

Three Reflections

• Goddess Durga appears in this world as per the desire of Krishna.
• Even if Goddess Durga fulfil material desires then still, we won’t be happy forever because material things are temporary.
• As she appeared to fulfil the desire of Krishna, so let us pray to her so that we too can fulfil the wish of Krishna.

Ask Yourself

Do I always ask Goddess Durga to fulfil my material desires?

Action Item

Pray to Goddess Durga so that we become sincere devotee of Krishna

As soon as we decide to give up sense gratification, we become peaceful

Why don’t I give up sense gratification? Have we asked this to ourselves any time either before indulging in it or after indulging in it?

We suffer not because Krishna wants us to suffer but we suffer because we choose to suffer.

The process of Krishna Consciousness is simple. We have to engage our mind, body and senses in the service of Krishna. And this is applicable for all the ashramas – brahmachari, grihasta, vanaprasta and sannyasa.

But most of the times after spending good number of years in the association of devotees, it becomes clear to us that the only reason we suffer is because we do not fully engage ourselves in the service of Krishna. And if we are not serving Krishna then obviously, we are indulging in the activities of this material world.

We run after money, power and positions or like to remain obsessed with the thoughts of opposite gender. We want to earn unlimited amount of wealth because we think that money is power and with power, we can control other people. Also, with money we can do unlimited amount of sense enjoyment. 

People in this world are obsessed with lusty desires and relish contemplating on lusty thoughts and indulge lusty activities. This is why we see all movies, movie songs, TV serials revolve around relationship between man and woman.

People see a man or woman running behind each other and indulging in vulgar activities in movies and imagine himself or herself doing the same. This they think is pleasurable but in fact this is abominable. This is what scriptures say. In Bhagavad Gita Krishna says that lust will take us to hell.

We might have experienced it ourselves that how lust causes so much suffering, how sense gratification makes us so miserable.

Give up desire for sense gratification

Unfortunate, even after coming to devotional life, we refuse to give up material enjoyment. And so, we suffer and are not able to relish Krishna Consciousness.

The only way by which we can free ourselves from all miseries is by giving up all sensual activities and being always engaged in the service of Krishna.

Srimad Bhagavatam tells the story of Pingala, a prostitute, who was going through so much mental agony when she had strong desire to enjoy with men. But after suffering considerably she decided to give up her lusty attachment. As soon as this thought came to her mind, she became so peaceful and when she decided to dedicate her life to Krishna, she became blissful.

So, let us give up all desire for sense gratification, especially the desire to enjoy with opposite sex.

If we do so, we will never be unhappy but will always be happy.

This is why Srila Prabhupada says, “Chant and be happy.”

Three Reflections

• We suffer not because Krishna wants us to suffer but we suffer because we choose to suffer.
• People see a man or woman running behind each other and indulging in vulgar activities in movies and imagine himself or herself doing the same.
• As soon as Pingala decided to give up her attachment to lust desires, she became peaceful.

Ask Yourself

Do I like seeing movie actors and actress indulging in sensual activities?

Action Item

Instead of spending 2 hours watching movies, try to read scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam for 2 hours.