Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught how to overcome our suffering?

Most of us do not know how not to suffer. So, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came and taught us how to overcome our suffering?

Who does not want freedom from suffering? Is it not true that none of us want to suffer in this world? Have you seen or met anyone who desperately want to become miserable? No sane man would even think of it. But we suffer. Whether we want it or not some unfortunate things happen in our life.

So, is there any way by which we can free ourselves from all suffering?

The answer is yes.

God does not want us to suffer. So, he gave us Vedic scriptures. This transcendental literature teaches us how to live happily in this world. But in spite of that we disregard the teachings of the scriptures. So, the Supreme Lord personally appears in this world to teach us how to lead a pure life so that we attain complete freedom from all suffering.

In this age of Kali Yuga the Supreme Lord appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and he taught us how to overcome all our suffering. Before discussing further, let us know who Lord Chaitanya is?

Knowing Lord Chaitanya

Lord Chaitanya is the Supreme Lord. He is Lord Krishna and He is Lord Jagannath. So, Vasudeva Gosh while extolling the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sings, “jei gaura sei kṛṣṇa sei jagannāth.” Lord Chaitanya appeared around 500 years ago in Mayapur.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura elaborately explains it, “Caitanya Mahāprabhu [Lord Chaitanya] was born in Māyāpur, in the town of Nadia, just after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Phālguna, 1407 Śakābda, answering to the 18th of February 1486, of the Christian Era.” Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Prologue by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was unhappy when he saw his unfortunate children, you and me, suffering in this world.

Why you & me suffer?

We the people of Kali Yuga are unfortunate. We are unfortunate because we have chosen to be unfortunate. Intentionally, we disregard the teachings of the Vedic scriptures given to us by the Lord. Instead, we like to live independently or rather whimsically. We explore all means to enjoy in this ephemeral material world with our temporary material body and constantly flickering senses. In our pursuit of enjoyment, we fail again and again. In fact, instead of enjoyment we mostly get suffering, but the saddest part is that sometimes we do not even realize that we are suffering.

Even the greatest material accomplishment cannot satiate our heart and is taken away from us at the time of our death. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, our creator, our father, was sorry to see the plight of his children. So, he came.

Most important reason for suffering

We have forgotten our true spiritual identity that we are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. We have forgotten that we are spiritual beings and not material beings. And because of this ignorance, we get entangled in this material world. We try our best to gratify our material body and material senses hoping that it will give us joy. We even indulge in sinful activities. Sinful activities mean those actions which are prohibited by the scriptures. Sin causes suffering.

Many times, we become so habituated to commit sinful activities that in spite of knowing that our action is bringing misery we continue committing it. It increases our suffering, we become helpless and slowly hopeless. Everything starts with ignorance, ignorance of not understanding our relationship with the Supreme Lord.

Attaining freedom from never ending suffering

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this age of downfall to deliver us, the unfortunate souls of Kaliyuga, from our never-ending suffering. He gave us the medicine of the holy names of Krishna, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, which has the potency to give us freedom from all our suffering. He asked everyone to sincerely and attentively chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Chanting the Mahamantra not just frees us from suffering, but it also fills our heart with unlimited bliss.  

Glory of Hare Krishna Mahamantra

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu extols the glories of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra beautifully in his Siksastakam Prayers, “Glory to the Sri-Krsna-Sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon.”

Just as sun appears darkness disappears. Similarly, as soon as the holy names of Krishna, appears in our heart by our sincere chanting, our ignorance disappears which is the root cause of our suffering. When our ignorance starts disappearing, we start understanding that we are souls eternally related to Lord Chaitanya. When this understanding dawns upon us, we start putting our best efforts to re-establish our relationship with the Lord.

With determination we try not to indulge in any sinful activities. Slowly because of the mercy of the holy name, our heart gets purified of all sinful desires and proclivities. And what about our past sins? It gets burnt to ashes. So, just by chanting the names of Krishna, our life becomes all auspicious. We attain love of Krishna and even become qualified to return back to the spiritual world, our original home. This is the greatest gift of Lord Chaitanya to us, to the entire human civilization. 

Srila Rupa Goswami, a great Vaisnava acharya, glorifies Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in these beautiful words, “I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, who is more magnanimous than any other avatāra, even Kṛṣṇa Himself, because He is bestowing freely what no one else has ever given — pure love of Kṛṣṇa.” Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila 14.16”

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s greatest gift

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gifted us the holy name and taught us that just by chanting these transcendental names of Krishna we can overcome all suffering and can attain Krishna.

So, if we should sincerely take up this process of mantra meditation. Anyone can chant this great mantra – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, men, women, young, old, Indians, non- Indians. For chanting no qualification is required, we just need to have sincere desire to chant in our heart. We can chant at anytime and at any place.

Although best is to chant early in the morning and at a place where there is no distraction. But if we are not able to chant in the morning then we can chant at any time of the day which is suitable for us. And even if we do not find any quiet place still we can chant at public place quietly without disturbing others.

Whenever and wherever we are chanting we should sincerely try to absorb ourselves in holy name. This will make our life auspicious and as promised by the Supreme Lord, will grant us freedom from all suffering.

In Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī writes,”In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”

What is raganuga bhakti & who is qualified to practice it?

Raganuga sadhana bhakti is a devotional practice wherein an advanced devotee develops a genuine desire to serve Krishna just like the eternal residents of Vrindavan. So, the advanced devotee endeavours to cultivate the mood of a brajvasis of Goloka Vrindavan.  Raganuga sadhana bhakta’s desire and attraction to serve Krishna is natural and spontaneous. This stage is achieved only when one has developed deep love and attachment for Krishna. And also is free from all material contaminations.

Raganuga Bhakti Explained

Raganuga bhakti cannot be practiced artificially. In Raganuga bhakti, an advanced devotee tries to serve Krishna by following the footsteps of an eternal associate of Krishna in Vrindavan. One may follow the footsteps of Nanda or Yashoda or Krishna’s cowherd friends or gopis. By serving Krishna following the footsteps of Krishna’s eternal associate, a devotee will also eventually get qualified to serve Krishna in that rasa in the spiritual world. Srila Prabhupada explains, “There is a gradual development of the ambition to become like a particular devotee, and this activity is called raganuga.” Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Sixteen. So, Raganuga bhakti develops gradually.

Srila Prabhupada elaborately explains in the purport of Sri Chaitanya Charitamṛta, Madhya Lila 22.153. “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura says that a devotee is attracted by the service of the inhabitants of Vrindavana — namely the cowherd men, Maharaja Nanda, mother Yashoda, Radharaṇi, the gopis and the cows and calves. An advanced devotee is attracted by the service rendered by an eternal servitor of the Lord. This attraction is called spontaneous attraction. Technically it is called svarupa-upalabdhi. This stage is not achieved in the beginning. In the beginning one has to render service strictly according to the regulative principles set forth by the revealed scriptures and the spiritual master. By continuously rendering service through the process of vaidhi bhakti, one’s natural inclination is gradually awakened. That is called spontaneous attraction, or raganuga bhakti.”

Difference between Ragatmika-bhakti and Raganuga bhakti

There are two terminologies – Ragatmika-bhakti and Raganuga bhakti. Ragatmika-bhakti is practiced by the eternal residents of Vrindavan who are perfected devotees. Raganuga bhakti is means following the footsteps of ragatmika bhaktas. For example, Nanda Maharaj and mother Yashoda are practicing ragatmika bhakti. Now, if an advanced devotee develops a desire to serve Krishna like a parent in Vrindavan then he will follow the footsteps of either Nanda Maharaj or Mother Yashoda. This practice will be called as raganuga bhakti.

An example

Skanda Purana tells the story of a man who was living in Hastinapur. He developed a desire to serve Lord Krishna as his son. Sage Narada explained him that to serve Krishna like a parent, he should follow the footsteps of Nanda Maharaj. He followed the instruction of the sage and achieved desired result. Here it should be noted that the man did not want to become Nanda Maharaj. But he wanted to serve like Nanda Maharaj.

So, an advanced devotee does not want to become Yashoda, Nanda or Lalita sakhi in Vrindavan. Instead, they follow their footsteps, perfect their lives and become qualified to serve like them eternally in Vrindavan.

Who is eligible to practice raganuga bhakti?

“ When an advanced, realized devotee hears about the affairs of the devotees of Vrindavana — in the mellows of santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya — he becomes inclined in one of these ways, and his intelligence becomes attracted. Indeed, he begins to covet that particular type of devotion. When such covetousness is awakened, one’s intelligence no longer depends on the instructions of śāstra [revealed scripture] or on logic and argument.”

So, one of the most important requirements is to have intense longing to serve Krishna like a particular resident of Vrindavan. When one develops that deep genuine craving then one starts following the footsteps of Krishna’s eternal associate of Vrindavan.

Freedom from anartha nivritti is must

Raganuga bhakti can be practiced by only those devotees who are very advanced and pure. In the nine stages of bhakti there is a stage called anartha nivritti. It is the stage where devotees have to struggle the most. It is not easy to get free from anarthas like lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion.  But after determined practice of bhakti, one is able to pass the stage of anartha nivritti.

One cannot even think of practicing raganuga bhakti unless one has crossed the stage of anartha nivritti. For raganuga bhakti, freedom from all material contamination is a must. Practicing devotees like us still have desire to enjoy this material world. We are still struggling with anarthas, so we cannot serve Krishna spontaneously. So, it is recommended that we practice bhakti as per the direction of the spiritual master and the scriptures.

However, an advanced devotee can practice raganuga bhakti, but Srila Prabhupada cautions that even if one has become completely pure and is eligible to practice raganuga bhakti still he should follow the principles of sadhana bhakti. At our stage we should not think that we have become qualified to practice raganuga bhakti and foolishly try to imitate Krishna’s eternal associates in Vrindavan.  

Srila Prabhupada on siddha pranali

There are certain people residing in Vrindavan who follow a process call siddha pranali. In siddha pranali they imagine that eternally they are gopis or gopas of Vrindavan.  Or they think that be imitating goipis and gopas or eternal residents of Vrindavan they will become like them. And so, they start imitating their behaviour externally. Since they are not pure, their activities create disturbance in the society.  Sometimes we see that some people start claiming that it is revealed to them that they are gopis of Vrindavan. Not just women, even men start claiming. So, men dress like gopis. They wear saris, nose rings, earrings and decorate themselves like gopis. None of the Vaisnava acharyas have approved this.

There are some pseudo gurus in Vrindavan who claim that they can reveal the eternal swarupa (identity) of a person in Vrindavan or can train a person to become a gopi or gopa. There are instances that some Iskcon devotees too get carried away by the unscrupulous teachings of such unauthorized gurus and start imitating the footsteps of eternal associates of Krishna.

An Example

For example, one of the devotees who had come to Vrindavan with Srila Prabhupada, one day started making the sound of a peacock and started behaving like a peacock.

When he was asked why he is doing so then the devotee said that one of the guru’s in Vrindavan told him that his real identity is of a peacock in Vrindavan. And so he should practice becoming a peacock in this life. When Srila Prabhupada heard, he disapproved this and said this is nonsense.

As a practicing devotee we should first practice the regulative principles of sadhana bhakti diligently and get free from all the anarthas. 

Iskcon devotees should never give up sadhana bhakti

In fact, the acharyas have said that even if one has become pure and is completely qualified for raganuga bhakti, still he should follow the principles of sadhana bhakti. Srila Prabhupada gives following guidelines to advanced devotees, “….he should always continue to act as a neophyte devotee as long as his material body is there. Activities in devotional service under regulative principles must be followed even by the pure devotee.”

So, for all the devotees of Iskcon irrespective of their number of years of practice, Srila Prabhupada has instructed that they should follow the regulative principles of sadhana bhakti given in the scriptures. This is why we see many Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, Iskcon Sannyasis although are very advanced but they still practice vaidhi sadhana bhakti. They attend mangal arati, Narasimha arati, Tulasi arati, darshana, arati, guru puja and chant 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. They do not neglect any guideline laid down by Srila Prabhupada.  

Referring to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Ṭhakura’s explanation to Sri Chaitanya Charitamṛta, Madhya Lila 22.165, Srila Prabhupada says, “Externally a devotee performs all the items of devotional service in nine different ways, beginning with sravaṇa and kirtana, and within his mind he always thinks of his eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa and follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vṛndavana.”

Importance of attachment to nine process of devotional service

Prahlada Maharaja says that there are nine process of devotional service – sravanam (hearing), kirtanam(chanting), visnu smaranam (remembering), pada sevanam (serving the lotus of the Lord), arcanam (deity worship), vandanam (praying), dasyam (serving the Lord as a servant), sakhyam (serving as a friend) and atma nivedanam (surrendering everything to the Lord).

There are examples of devotees who attained complete perfection by following one of these processes

• sravanam (hearing),- Maharaj Parikshit
• kirtanam(chanting)- Sukhadeva Goswami
• visnu smaranam (remembering): Prahlad Maharaja
• pada sevanam (serving the lotus of the Lord): Lakshmi
• arcanam (deity worship): Prithu Maharaj
• vandanam (praying): Akrura
• dasyam (serving the Lord as a servant): Hanuman
• sakhyam (serving as a friend): Arjuna
• atma nivedanam (surrendering everything to the Lord): Bali Maharaj

Maharaj Ambarisa followed all the process and attained perfection. 

Srila Prabhupada says that among these nine process a devotee should chose the one which he likes the most. And then earnestly follow that process of devotional service. In this way he can become a pure and perfected devotee.

Conclusion

Raganuga bhakti is an advanced stage of devotional practice. Two most important qualification to practice raganuga bhakti are:

1. Intense craving to serve Krishna in a particular relationship like the eternal residents of Vrindavan
2. Freedom from all material contaminations.

One cannot practice raganuga bhakti artificially. Srila Prabhupada and great Vaisnava acharyas have said that even if someone is qualified to practice raganuga bhakti, still he should not give up the principles of Vaidhi bhakti. So, we see that many advanced devotees of Iskcon who have been sincerely practicing bhakti for than 50 years follows all the rules and regulations of vaidhi sadhana bhakti.

What is the attitude of devotees of Krishna towards suffering?

Everyone in this world has to suffer but our attitude towards suffering determine how much we are going to suffer. Devotees of Krishna suffer too. But Krishna’s devotees are sure that if they continue practicing unflinching devotion to Krishna then eventually, he will become free from all the sufferings. But as long as we remain in this world, we have to suffer for the sins which we committed in past.

Devotees patiently tolerate suffering

Materialistic people are heart broken when suffering befalls upon them, but devotees of Krishna do not become disheartened. Because they know that Krishna is always with them whatever may be the situation or circumstances. They do not give up their Krishna Consciousness in adversity. In fact, they become more serious in their devotional life understanding very well that the current suffering is because we forgot Krishna and forgot to live as per the instructions of Krishna.  

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.8 beautifully explains devotees attitude towards suffering. The verse says that devotees tolerate suffering and continue his spiritual journey even during difficult circumstances which makes them eligible for liberation. “My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim.” 

Suffering does not go immediately because

Srila Prabhupada explains, “A devotee should not expect immediate relief from the reactions of his past misdeeds. No conditioned soul is free from such reactionary experiences, because material existence means continued suffering or enjoying of past activities.” So, in this world we will have to suffer. But our suffering will eventually end, we should have faith in Krishna. But suffering will not go away immediately, we need to have patience.

For example, if we switch off a ceiling fan then it does not stop immediately. As soon as we press the off button the speed of the fan gradually starts reducing before it completely stops. Similarly, as soon as we start practicing Krishna Consciousness then our suffering starts reducing.

For example, for a particular sin we might had to suffer a terrible reaction, but Krishna mercifully reduces our suffering. So, when we are suffering, we should be thankful to Krishna that he has minimised our suffering. During our suffering phase we should continue practicing Krishna Consciousness with sincerity and should patiently suffer the reactions of our sins. And we should also have complete faith that Krishna will ultimately end all our suffering. 

My Experience with suffering

Devotees of Krishna experiences that how Krishna intervenes and minimizes the suffering of his devotee.  I have also personally experienced this. Once I fell off from my bike on the road. There was heavy traffic. Somehow people who saw me falling down signalled the vehicles which were coming at high speed to stop. I would have met with a fatal accident but was fortunately saved. However, my leg got crushed under the bike. I had to go to hospital and the doctor said that the entire muscle of my foot has got crushed.

Doctor said that there is no medicine which can develop the muscles. But he said that these muscles will grow on its own and my foot will gain strength and I can then walk normally. I was bed ridden for many weeks. There used to be terrible pain in my foot, and I could not do much about it. But as the doctor had said, slowly the muscles of my foot got build up. And today I can walk normally and can again ride a bike.

As per my past sins I was supposed to suffer a lot. I may have lost my life or would have become handicapped. But Krishna mercifully reduced my pain and my suffering. I am extremely grateful to him.

To reform us, Krishna gives token punishment

In my day-to-day life there are many challenges which keeps on coming. Sometimes it is relationship issue with my spouse. Sometimes it is work issue or financial issues or health issue and so on. I have observed that sufferings keep on coming in different ways. And actually, I am responsible for all my suffering. Because in the past I misused my free will and I committed sins for which I am suffering now. After coming to Krishna Consciousness, I realize that if I do not want to suffer then I should not do anything which is against the scriptures. For my past sins, Krishna is giving me token punishment just to remind me that I should never commit any sins. So, even during suffering, we should never lose hope, should have faith and positive attitude.

Devotees great hope while dealing with suffering

To devotees, Srila Prabhupada gives a lot of hope when he says, “A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments. When such impediments arise, he should simply think of Kṛṣṇa and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord. By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God.” Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Ten, Techniques of Hearing and Remembering

So, by suffering patiently and practicing Krishna Consciousness with determination in adversity devotees become qualified to return back to Krishna. This is the reason that even during suffering devotees have positive attitude.

As long as we are in this material world, we have to suffer because this world is full of miseries. This is confirmed by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 8.15 when he says that this world is duḥkhalayam asasvatam. “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.

So, when suffering comes, we should become more serious in our spiritual life. This is the only way by which we can free ourselves from suffering. Also, we should remember that if we want to lead a sin free happy life then we should do our best to return back to the spiritual world which is our original home. Because in that spiritual abode there is no suffering. There is only bliss.

What are the six characteristics of pure devotional service?

The six characteristics of pure devotional service are:

1. klesaghni: Pure devotional service gives immediate relief from all kinds of material distress.
2. subhada: Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness.
3. moksa – laghutakrt: Pure devotional service deride the conception of liberation.
4. sudurlabha: Pure devotional service is rarely achieved.
5. sandrananda visesatma: Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure.
6. sri krsnakarsini: Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kṛṣṇa.

1) Klesaghni: Gives immediate relief from all distress.

The first characteristic of pure devotional service, Klesaghni, manifests at the stage of nistha, steadiness.  Klesaghni means getting relief from all sufferings. We suffer because of the sins we committed in this life or in previous life.

Our sufferings have three causes:

1. Papam: We suffer because of our sins.
2. Bijam: We suffer because of our material desires. This is the secondary cause of our suffering.
3. Avidya: Our material desires are because of our ignorance. We fail to understand that we are in reality spiritual beings, and our eternal identity is that we are eternal servants of Krishna. Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering.

Padma Purana explains that sinful activities causes four kinds of sinful reactions:

Four kinds of sinful reactions are:

1. aprarabdha: The effect which is not yet fructified
2. kutam: The effect which is lying as seed
3. prarabdha: The effect which is already mature
4. karma bijam: The effect which is almost mature

As of now we are suffering because of our prarabdha karma and in future we will suffer because of aprarabdha karma. However, we can get relief from all distress if we take shelter of Krishna. Devotion to Krishna is so powerful that it burns all our sinful reactions. In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna says to Uddhava, “My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire, which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.19.  So, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, is assuring that he will completely destroy all our aprarabdha karma, the unmanifest sinful reaction for which we had to suffer in future.  He also completely destroys our present sins for which we are currently suffering.

Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering

It is said that ignorance is the root cause of all our suffering. It is because of ignorance we get entangled in this material world and get materially contaminated. Material contamination leads to material desire and to satisfy our material desires we indulge in sinful activity which brings unlimited suffering in our life.

There are different rituals given in the Vedic scriptures to counteract our suffering. However, it has been observed that a Vedic ritual may sometime give relief from sinful reaction but it does not destroy sinful proclivity. And because of sinful proclivity a person again commits sin for which he has to again suffer.  However pure devotional service not just give relief from all distress but it completely purifies our heart of all material contamination, it totally destroys all our material desires and all our sinful proclivity. So, a sincere devotee of Krishna never again commits sins and so he never suffers again.

2) subhada: Pure devotional service is the beginning of all auspiciousness.

The second characteristic of pure devotional service, subhada, manifests at the stage of nistha, steadiness.  Pure devotional service is all auspicious because it

1. Benefits everyone
2. Attracts everyone
3. Produce good qualities
4. Bestow superior happiness

Benefits and Attracts Everyone

Padma Puraṇa glorifies pure devotional service, “A person who is engaged in devotional service in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to be understood to be doing the best service to the whole world and to be pleasing everyone in the world. In addition to human society, he is pleasing even the trees and animals, because they also become attracted by such a movement.”

Lord Chaitanya practically showed that pure devotional service not just attract human beings, but it also attracts animals and trees. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was passing through the forest of Jharikhanda then all the animals including tiger, elephant, deer began dancing and singing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. We see that when Srila Prabhupada began worldwide preaching then many people who had earlier not even heard the name of Krishna became attracted to Krishna and became sincere devotees of Krishna.

Produce good qualities

Scriptures say that those who practice pure devotional service develop saintly qualities and it can be practically seen also. There were many hippies who were drug addict, animal flesh eater, would indulge in illicit sex and other abominable activities but once they began practicing devotion to Krishna they were able to give up all their sinful habits. They became sincere and serious devotees of Krishna. Many even became sannyasis and began preaching the message of Krishna all over the world.

In our life also we can see that once we have started practicing devotion to Krishna, we have been able to give up many bad habits. We see in this world that there are many highly materially educated people but they are addicted to sinful habits like intoxication and meat eating. But a devotee of Krishna may not be materially well educated but by practicing devotion to Krishna they become so pure that they are easily able to give up all the bad habits and is able to lead a happy life. In Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.12 Sukhadeva Goswami says to King Parikshit that those who have unflinching faith in Krishna and are without any duplicity develop all the good qualities of demigods.

Superior Happiness

Srila Rupa Goswami explains in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu that there are three sources of happiness:

1. Happiness from material enjoyment i.e. through sense gratification
2. One derives happiness by identifying oneself with the Supreme Brahman i.e. by Brahman realization.
3. Happiness derived from engaging in pure devotional service to Krishna.

Out of these three, happiness derived by practicing Krishna Consciousness is the topmost. There are two reasons for this

1. Happiness achieved by pure devotional service is eternal whereas happiness derived from other process is temporary and flickering.
2. Also, happiness which we experience by engaging in pure devotional service to Krishna includes the happiness derived from other sources and also excels it.

We practically see that there are Mayavadi (impersonalist) sannyasis who are highly educated and very much realized souls but indulge in political or social welfare activities. It is because the happiness which they get by identifying themselves with Supreme Brahman does not satiate their heart, so they look for some material means to find happiness. There are mystic yogis who attain siddhis but they too cannot experience supreme enjoyment. The highest enjoyment is only in Krishna Consciousness.

Two Examples

So, we see that devotees of Krishna maybe material impoverished but they experience so much pleasure in Krishna Consciousness that the want nothing but Krishna. Kholaveca Sridhara was extremely poor, he had almost no material possession, but he would always joyful chant the names of Krishna. When Lord Chaitanya wanted to give him material opulence, he refused, because the happiness which he derived by chanting the names of Krishna was so great that nothing could have replaced it.

Prahlada Maharaja, a great devotee of the Lord, offers prayer to Lord Narasimhadeva, “My dear Lord, I repeatedly pray unto Your lotus feet that I may simply be stronger in devotional service. I simply pray that my Kṛṣṇa consciousness may be more strong and steady, because happiness derived out of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service is so powerful that with it one can have all the other perfections of religiousness, economic development, sense gratification and even the attainment of liberation from material existence.” Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya 

3) moksa – laghutakrt: Pure devotional service derides the conception of liberation

At the stage of bhava, the third characteristics of pure devotional service manifests – moksa – laghutakrt. Explaining how pure devotional service is superior to liberation, Srila Prabhupada explains, “Srila Rupa Gosvami says that if brahmananda, or the happiness of becoming one with the Supreme, is multiplied one trillionfold, it still cannot compare to an atomic fraction of the happiness derived from the ocean of devotional service.”

This is the reason that devotees of Krishna do not want anything from Krishna not even liberation. It is because the joy they experience in practicing devotion to Krishna is unlimited which cannot be expressed in words.

4) sudurlabha: pure devotional service is rarely achieved

The fourth characteristics of pure devotional service – sudurlabha – manifests at the stage of bhava. One cannot attain pure devotional service by one’s own effort and also Krishna is reluctant to give it. Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can easily give material happiness and he can even give liberation. But he does not easily give pure devotional service. It is because pure devotional service is so potent that Krishna himself gets purchased by it. We see in Vrindavan that Krishna becomes a puppet of brajvasis.

Sometimes mother Yashoda punishes Krishna, sometimes Krishna carries the shoes of Nanda Maharaj on his head. And sometimes the gopis ask Krishna to dance and the Supreme Lord starts dancing. Similarly, Krishna becomes the messenger of Pandavas and charioteer of Arjuna. We see that Krishna, the Supreme Lord, becomes subservient to his devotees. Since pure devotional service has the power to conquer and control the Supreme Lord, so Krishna is very reluctant to give pure devotional service. However, Krishna can bestow his mercy upon a sincere devotee and give him pure devotional service. Also, by the mercy of a pure devotee one can also achieve pure devotional service.

5) sandrananda visesatma: Pure devotional service automatically puts one in transcendental pleasure.

The fifth characteristics of pure devotional service – sandrananda-visesatma – manifests at the stage of prema. It is explained that metal is so dense that nothing can penetrate it. Similarly pure devotional service is highly concentrated and dense and so no other thoughts and perception penetrates in the mind of a devotee. So, in pure devotional service, a devotee experiences condensed bliss.

6) sri krsnakarsini: Pure devotional service is the only means to attract Kṛṣṇa.

The sixth characteristics of pure devotional service – sri krsnakarsini – manifests at the stage of prema. Krishna attracts everyone but pure devotional service even attracts Krishna. Srimati Radharani is the highest symbol of pure devotional service. Krishna is called Madana-mohana because he attracts thousands of cupids, but Radharani is so attractive that she even attracts Krishna. By her devotion, she controls Krishna. So, Radharani is called, Madana-mohana-mohini.

Devotional service is directly under the control of Srimati Radharani. So, if we have to practice pure devotion then we should follow the footsteps of Srimati Radharani. The residents of Vrindavan and all the pure devotees of Krishna always serve Krishna under the guidance of Srimati Radharani.

Lord Krishna himself confirms that he gets attracted by pure devotional service, “My dear Uddhava, you may know it from Me that the attraction I feel for devotional service rendered by My devotees is not to be attained even by the performance of mystic yoga, philosophical speculation, ritualistic sacrifices, the study of Vedānta, the practice of severe austerities or the giving of everything in charity. These are, of course, very nice activities, but they are not as attractive to Me as the transcendental loving service rendered by My devotees.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.20

Three categories of devotional service

Srila Rupa Goswami says that there are three categories of pure devotional service – sadhana bhakti, bhava bhakti and prema bhakti. In each of these categories, two characteristics of pure devotional service manifests as described below:

Sadhana bhakti

• klesaghni: Relief from all kinds of material distress.

• subhada: All auspiciousness.

Bhava bhakti (the previous two plus the following)

• moksa – laghutakrt: Happiness deriding conception of liberation.

• sudurlabha: Rarely achieved.

Prema bhakti (the previous four plus the following)

• sandrananda visesatma: Incalculable transcendental pleasure.

• sri krsnakarsini: Attracting Lord Krishna.

What is pure devotional service & its two characteristics – Svarupa-Laksanam and Tatastha-Laksanam?

The definition of pure devotional service is given by Srila Rupa Goswami in Nectar of Devotion (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu) 1.1.11

anyabhilasita-sunyam

jnana-karmady-anavrtam

anukulyena krsnanu-

silanam bhaktir uttama

“When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive actions. The devotee must constantly serve Krsna favorably, as Krsna desires.”

In pure devotional service one has no desire for personal enjoyment, one just wants to serve Krishna constantly.  This is beautifully explained by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Siksastakam Text 4, “O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.”  

Pure devotional service has two characteristics – Svarupa-Laksanam (Primary Characteristics) and Tatastha-Laksanam (Secondary Characteristics).

1) Svarupa-Laksanam — Primary Characteristics

Pure devotional service has three primary characteristics (Svarupa-Laksanam):

1. It is for Krsna
2. Devotion to Krishna is an active engagement
3. It is executed with favourable intent.

1. Pure devotional Service is for Krsna

The first and the most important characteristic of pure devotional service is that it is for Krsna and not for anyone else.

Now when we say Krishna then it also includes:

• Krishna’s plenary parts and parcels like Baladeva, Sankarsana, Vasudeva, Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Rama, Nrsimha, Varaha etc.
• His differentiated parts and parcels which means the living entities
• His multifarious energies – the material and spiritual worlds

However, it does not mean that the pure devotional can be for anything and everything because Krishna is anything. The correct understanding is that we can love and serve Krishna directly or love and serve those things and persons who are explicitly connected to Krishna. For example, we can love and serve Krishna’s expansions, His pure devotees, His places of pastimes, His paraphernalia.

2. Anusilanam — Devotional Service is an Active Engagement

Pure devotion is not passive but it is an active engagement. When we love someone then we try to do anything to please that person.  Similarly, if we love Krishna then we will put in our best efforts to please Krishna. Anusilanam has two aspects:

• Pravrtti or positive actions: Doing activities which are favourable to Krishna consciousness.
• Nivrtti or negative actions: Avoiding those activities which are unfavourable to Krishna consciousness.

To know the positive and negative activities, we should take guidance from our spiritual master who is coming in guru parampara, disciplic succession. These activities should be performed with our body, mind and words. For example, we should avoid breaking four regulative principles like meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. But we should do activities which are favourable to Krishna Consciousness like chanting the names of Krishna, deity worship, reading Srimad Bhagavatam.

3. Anukulyena — Favourable Intention

While doing devotional service, it is also important that our intent should be to please Krishna. Sometimes demons like Kamsa, Ravana give pleasure to Krishna by giving Krishna an opportunity to fight and protect His devotees. But we cannot say that the demons are engaged in pure devotional service because the demon’s intention is not to please Krishna but to give pain to Krishna and pain to Krishna’s devotees.

On the other hand, some activities may apparently appear that it is displeasing to Krishna but it will fall in the category of pure devotional service if the intent is pure. For example, mother Yashoda punishing Krishna may appear displeasing to Krishna, but it is actually pure devotional service because mother Yashoda’s intention is to always love and care for Krishna.

2) Tatastha-Laksanam — Secondary Characteristics

The two secondary characteristics, Tatastha-Laksanam, of pure devotional service are:

1. anyabhilasita-sunyam — pure devotional service is free from all ulterior motives

A pure devotee engages in serving Krishna only to please Krishna and guru. He does not want anything in return. Sometimes some people may visit temple, bow down to the deity, give donation but they may have hidden motives. For example, they may think that if they come to temple and give donation then in return Krishna will grant them benediction and give them lots of wealth. This is not pure devotional service.  Pure devotional service is free of all ulterior motives, the only motive should be to please Krishna.

2. jnana-karmady anavrttam — pure devotional service is not covered by philosophical or fruitive pursuits.

Philosophical speculation:

If philosophical speculation is taking one to voidism or impersonalism then it is dangerous because it takes one away from Krishna. So, Rupa Goswami is saying that pure devotional service should not be covered by philosophical speculation. But if philosophical speculation is taking one to Krishna then it is acceptable.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “The ultimate end of philosophical speculation, then, must be Kṛṣṇa, with the understanding that Kṛṣṇa is everything, the cause of all causes, and that one should therefore surrender unto Him. If this ultimate goal is reached, then philosophical advancement is favorable, but if the conclusion of philosophical speculation is voidism or impersonalism, that is not bhakti.” Nector of Devotion, Introduction

Fruitive pursuits:

Fruitive pursuits may cover our devotional service to Krishna, so we should be cautious. There are many ritualistic or fruitive activities described in the Vedas and if one becomes attracted to these fruitive activities without understanding Krishna then these activities are unfavourable to Krishna Consciousness.  One may get caught up in fruitive activities and stop paying proper attention to pure devotional activities like hearing and chanting.

However, it does not mean that a devotee should not at all engage in ritualistic activities. Sometimes a devotee may perform some ritualistic activities out of social convention. Such activities do no cover devotional service. For example, Lord Chaitanya offered pinda when his father died.

But there are some activities that may cover devotional service. So, one should be very cautious about those activities. For example, putting faith in astrology. Astrology is a Vedic science, and it can serve some functional purpose. But if one gets too much caught up in astrology then he may start putting more faith in destiny then in bhakti.   Srila Prabhupada explains, “Actually, Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be based simply on hearing, chanting, remembering, etc. Described in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are nine different processes, besides which everything done is unfavorable to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”

Srila Rupa Goswami has beautifully explained what constitutes pure devotional service. With this understanding we should try our best to engage in pure devotional service to Krishna.

What are the three main causes of suffering & how to get relief from all the sufferings?

There are three main causes of our suffering – papam(sin), bijam(desires) and avidya(ignorance). Srila Rupa Goswami explains in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Nectar of Devotion) that we suffer because of the sins which we have committed not only in this life but also in previous lives.  Let us explore the causes of our sufferings and most importantly how to get relief from all our sufferings. Srila Rupa Goswami explains about this in his book Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Nectar of Devotion).

Three causes of suffering

The three causes of our suffering are:

1. Papam: We suffer because of our sins.
2. Bijam: We suffer because of our material desires. This is the secondary cause of our suffering.
3. Avidya: Our material desires are because of our ignorance. We fail to understand that we are in reality spiritual beings, and our eternal identity is that we are eternal servants of Krishna. Ignorance is the root cause of our suffering.

Four kinds of sinful reactions

Padma Purana explains that sinful activities causes four kinds of sinful reactions:

Four kinds of sinful reactions are:

• The effect which is not yet fructified (aprarabdha)
• The effect which is lying as seed (kutam)
• The effect which is already mature (prarabdha)
• The effect which is almost mature (karma bijam)

And because of these sinful reactions we have to suffer a lot in this material world. However, if we take shelter of Krishna and engage in pure devotional service then these sinful reactions immediately get vanquished.

Let us see how devotional service destroys each of the sinful reactions:

1) Devotional service destroys unmanifest sinful reactions (aprarabdha-papam)

In Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna says to Uddhava, “My dear Uddhava, devotional service unto Me is just like a blazing fire, which can burn into ashes unlimited fuel supplied to it.” Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.19. Srila Prabhupada explains, “The purport is that as the blazing fire can burn any amount of fuel to ashes, so devotional service to the Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can burn up all the fuel of sinful activities.” Nectar of Devotion, Characteristics of Pure Devotional Service Purport.

So, if we take shelter of Krishna then the Supreme Lord guarantees that he will completely destroy all our unmanifest sinful reactions (aprarabdha-papam). It means that whatever sins for which we were supposed to suffer gets destroyed. So, in future we will not suffer for those sins which we committed in the past.

For example, Mrugrari was such a cruel hunter that he would half kill animals and enjoy seeing them suffer and die. For this ghastly act he was supposed to suffer terribly in future. But once he took devotional service to Lord Krishna, he completely got purified and got freedom from all future sufferings.

2) Devotional service destroys manifest sinful reactions (prarabdha-papam)

Our present suffering is because of our past sins. If someone is born in the family of beggars or in a criminal family or in a family where many legal issues are going on or if someone is born as blind, deaf or dumb or suffers from other diseases by birth then it is because of their past sins.

However, devotion to Krishna is so purifying that a person who is suffering because of past sins can get relief from all the sufferings. Everyone is qualified to practice devotion to Krishna. Even someone born in the family of dog eaters can take to Krishna Consciousness. And Krishna as a loving father is always ready to free all of us from all kinds of sufferings.

In Srimad Bhagavatam, Devahuti glorifies Lord Kapiladeva by saying, “My dear Lord, there are nine different kinds of devotional service, beginning with hearing and chanting. Anyone who hears about Your pastimes, who chants about Your glories, who offers You obeisances, who thinks of You and, in this way, executes any of the nine kinds of devotional service – even if he is born in a family of dog-eaters [the lowest grade of mankind] – becomes immediately qualified to perform sacrifices.” Srimad Bhagavatam 3.33.6.

Lord Krishna is so merciful that he forgives us of our past mistakes and purifies us if we take his shelter. However, it does not mean that we should start taking advantage of Lord’s benevolence and keep on committing sins thinking that Krishna will anyway purify us.

A pure devotee of the lord is always careful not to commit any sins.

3) Devotional service destroys Material Desires (bijam)

Getting relief from sins is not enough. It is important that we get freedom from our material desires. Because as long as we have material desires, we will commit sins and so we will suffer.  In Srimad Bhagavatam Parikshit Maharaj says that elephants may enter into a water body to take bath. The elephant may thoroughly clean his body but as soon as he comes out of the water, he takes dust from the shore and puts it on his body.

Similarly, there are people who atone for their sins but as soon there is an opportunity to commit sins, they indulge into it. And because of this they again have to suffer. So, it is important that sinful desires or sinful proclivity should be completely uprooted.

We can get completely purified of our sinful desires when we take shelter of Krishna.

Vedic rituals, austerity, giving charity may temporarily save us from sinful reactions but will not free us from sinful proclivities.  For example, Ajamila was doing his brahminical duties very nicely but since his sinful desires were not burnt completely so he fell down when he saw a prostitute. But later just by chanting the name “Narayan”, he was saved from Yamaduttas. And after that Ajamila practiced devotional life and got purified of his sinful proclivities.

Pure devotional service not just nullify the sinful desires, but it fills our heart with a desire to serve Krishna. Desire to serve Krishna is the antidote of material desire. Once we start experiencing bliss in serving Krishna, we give up all our material desires. When our sinful proclivity is gone, we do not commit any sins and so we do not suffer anymore.

4) Devotional service destroys Ignorance

Srila Rupa Goswami explains that among all the causes of suffering, ignorance is the root cause of all our sufferings. Because of ignorance we identify ourselves with our material body, mind and senses. And so we try to gratify our body, mind and senses in this world.  The more we gratify our material senses, more we get contaminated. We fail to identify that we are spirt souls, parts and parcels of Krishna.

So, instead of cultivating spiritual desires, we cultivate material desires. And because of worldly desires, we keep on committing sins and we suffer. However, when we start practicing devotion to Krishna, we get enlightened. Our true spiritual identity is revealed to us. We start understanding that we are spiritual beings, parts and parcel of Krishna.

Padma Purana explains that “Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the highest enlightenment, and when such enlightenment is there, it is just like a blazing forest fire, killing all the inauspicious snakes of desire.” Just like when there is forest fire all the snakes of the forest get killed, similarly devotion to Krishna is so strong that it burns the snake of ignorance.

We see that when Srila Prabhupada went to west then the hippies were indulging in so many abominable activities. But once they started practicing devotion to Krishna under the guidance of Srila Prabhupada their ignorance were destroyed. Once they got the true spiritual knowledge they gave up all their sinful habits and become first class devotees of Krishna and perfected their lives.

Conclusion

Pure devotion to Krishna removes all the causes of suffering. So, devotional service to Krishna is the only way by which we can free ourselves from all the sins. And eventually of all sufferings both present and future. And then we can lead a blissful Krishna Conscious life.

Unlimited glories of Mayapur Dham

Devotees of Krishna continuously sing the glories of Mayapur dham. Unable to control their emotions, they dance in joy.  The stars smile seeing the dance of joy. The big trees and the small plants are curiously looking around enjoying the spectacle. The water in the nearby Ganges is resting peacefully. The cool breeze is singing shyly the glories of Mayapur Dham, occasionally touching the sacred river gently and immediately racing to catch up with the devotees who are quickly walking towards the temple. 

Men, women, children walk briskly lest they miss the momentous opportunity.  When clock calls 4:30 a.m., pujari blows the conchshell reverentially and opens the gigantic curtain hurriedly. Hundreds of devotees raise their arms in jubilation when Sri Sri Radha Madhav along with eight gopis and Panca Tattva appears to enjoy the celebration.  Their looks are from the spiritual sky, they are always full of smile, their stunning glance give devotees immense joy.

When Srila Prabhupada, Iskcon founder acharya, cried

The year was 1971, it was the time when Srila Prabhupada still walked on the planet earth. Mayapur is a special land because here is Lord Chaitanya’s sacred home.  Prabhupada had a mega plan – “Let us build a magnificent temple in Mayapur. Let people from all over the world congregate here to chant Krishna’s holy name.”  Muslim Sek brothers with great difficulty finally agreed to offer a piece of land. “Let us not waste even a single moment. Let us all work together to develop Chaitanya’s land. Let us make sure that the glories of Mayapur dham spread all over the world.” Prabhupada’s clarion call spread far and wide. Without any delay devotees marched towards Mayapur. To construct a beautiful world class spiritual center was their vision and to work hard in any situation and condition was their mission.

The initial years were the toughest years. Electricity was a rarity, clean water a luxury, cooking an austerity. Storms and rains often sullied the land. Snakes and scorpions enjoyed the muddy land. Prabhupada appreciated the monumental efforts. He called Bhavananda one night and suddenly began crying to Bhavananda’s surprise. “I know it is difficult for all you Western boys and girls…..I know you cannot even get prasadam. When I think that you cannot even get milk and that you have given up your opulent life to come here and you do not complain, I am very much indebted to all of you.” Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita Chapter 42: Developing Mayapur. But he continued elevating devotees spirit, “Mayapur is so wonderful. You can live on the air and water alone.”

The First Gaur Purnima Festival at Iskcon Mayapur                               

29 Feb, 1972 was a historic day, the first Gaur Purnima festival in the upcoming Iskcon center was celebrated on this auspicious day. Devotees from everywhere had assembled here to participate in this mega fest. The five day festival featured several programs.

Non – stop Hare Krishna song continued day and night, spiritual discourse touched the core of every soul,  devotees danced through the spiritual lanes and stopped at many sacred sites  – they embraced the neem tree under which Mahabrabhu appeared, meditated on the samadhi of Chand Kazi who got Mahaprabhu’s grace, danced in the courtyard of Srivasa Angan where Lord danced dusk to dawn.

Mayapur – the spiritual capital of the world

“Let Mayapur be the spiritual capital of the world,” Prabhupada  boldly declared. Let people far and wide across the ocean across the continents sing in chorus the glories of Chaitanya’s name. Let all land in this holy land to enjoy the bliss of the holy name. “Let us all install here life size deities of Panca tattva,” again Prabhupada demanded. Lest his dream be a wishful thinking devotees began looking for the artisans good enough, devoted enough to carve the deities in their heart.

The search began in 1999, the fortunate artisans of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, were the gifted souls.  Panca Tattva is about to manifest, the wind carried the news far and wide. With dedication the work began in 2002 and seeing devotees devotion the Lord agreed to manifest in the metal form. The eight metals – copper, brass, tin, lead, iron, gold, silver, steel- were mixed in right proportion so that each of the deity gets their specific complexion. Lord Chaitanya, of course, has golden complexion.

Panca Tattva appears in Mayapur

Devotees numbering thousands, singing the glories of Mayapur Dham, waited with bated breath for the arrival of the deities. At dawn their hopes soured high and at dusk their hopes did not die. They called the name of Gauranga in unison and Mahaprabhu finally arrived to join the celebration. 21st, 22nd and 23rd of Feb 2004 were the most auspicious days.  These 72 hours were the memorable moments.

No one spoke everyone sang. No one walked everyone danced. No one slept everyone wept when the 7 feet tall, magnificent deities each weighing about 3 tons were installed on the majestic altar. The guidelines of pancartrika literature guided Panca tattva installation – the sense organs and the limbs of the deities were invoked, prana pratista ceremony ceremoniously invoked Lord’s divine presence, sacred water with sacred substances relentlessly rained to bathe the Lord during maha – abhishek.

Anxiously everyone inquired, “Where is the Lord?” Suddenly the priest heard the pleas and flung open the gigantic curtain. “The Lord is here.” Everyone cried in chorus. Panca tattva had appeared. Their glance enhanced everyone’s emotion. Devotees failed to hide their devotion. It’s not an exaggeration, devotees danced in utter jubilation. Tears and Krishna’s song complimented the celebration.

Prophecy of Lord Nityananda comes true

Panca Tattva on the altar looks magnificent.  Lord Chaitanya blissfully stands in the middle, with long raised arms he invites anyone and everyone to chant Krishna’s name. Nityananda on his right, Gadadhara on his left welcomes all to the sankirtana land.  Advaita Acharya standing far right is full of compassion and Srivasa Thakura standing far left is paragon of devotion.

Nityananda is not an ordinary soul; he is the plenary expansion of the Supersoul. 500 years back he uttered the auspicious words, “eka adbhuta mandira ei haibe prakasa/gaurangera nitya-seva haibe vikasa.” – An astounding temple will appear and will engage the entire world in the eternal service of Lord Chaitanya. (Sri Navadvipa-Mahatmya, Parikrama Khanda, Chapter 4).

This prediction has now come true. Mayapur has one of the most beautiful temples of the world.  300 foot high upcoming Temple Of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) which is going to be world’s one of the tallest temple is soon to manifest in Mayapur. TOVP will spread the glories of Mayapur Dham. The beautiful temple will further enhance the beauty of the beautiful land, glories of the glorious land.

Circumambulating the magical land

Millions of devotees from everywhere of different colour and different faith long to come to Mayapur to bathe in the dust of magical land. Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama has become a mega fair.   Celebrated during Gaur Purnima festival, more than 10000 devotees with much expectation come here to cleanse their hearts of all imperfections.

Dawn to dusk they dance through the sacred land, occasionally stop to hear the glories of that specific place and immediately march ahead to next destination.  Night they spend in makeshift tent houses. Throughout the day they walk for several kilometers, in total they cover around 80 km, they continuously sing “Hare Krishna” song accompanied with mridanga and kartal.

Longing to live in Chaitanya’s land

A person without vision cry confidently that stone and diamond are one and same. A person without any devotion cry in confusion, “What is so great about this ordinary land.” Mayapur is not just any land. The glories of Mayapur Dham are unlimited. The dust here has immense potency as it has drunk Chaitanya’s mercy. The wind having witnessed wonderful pastimes sings with joy the song of spiritual sky. Here every word becomes a song and every step a dance. Lord Chaitanya is not a simple soul, he is indeed the Supersoul.  His glories are sung in sacred scriptures. 

Nrsimha Purana declares, “The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas, and who in the Treta-Yuga appeared as a person named Rama [Lord Ramachandra], the person who defeated the ten-headed Demon Ravana, and who in the Dvapara-Yuga removed the earth’s burden, and protected the Gopa [cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord’s holy names, and His name will be Chaitanya.”

When will the day come when I too will dance in the dust of this magical land, sing Hare Krishna in this mystical land, long to live in Chaitany’s land!

Why all religions should support ban on cow slaughter in India?

Millions of devout Hindus and followers of Vedic scriptures want ban on cow slaughter, especially in India. But if ban on cow slaughter happens across the world, then it would be great. Cow is not just any other animal in India. She is sacred for most of the Indians, so many Indians worship cow. Vedic scriptures glorify cow. Holy Vedas say that we have seven mothers and one of them is a cow.

Cow is one of the seven mothers

ātma-mātā guroḥ patnī
brāhmaṇī rāja-patnikā
dhenur dhātrī tathā pṛthvī
saptaitā mātaraḥ smṛtāḥ

“The seven mothers are: (1) the real mother, (2) the wife of the spiritual master, (3) the wife of a brāhmaṇa, (4) the wife of the king, (5) the cow, (6) the nurse, and (7) the earth.”  https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/12/8/

So, people in India especially Hindus call cow as mother cow and worship her. Many devout Hindus voluntarily open goshalas, cow shelter homes, where they selflessly take care of the cows.

But for people of other faiths like Muslims and Christians, cow is just like any other animal.  So, they do not subscribe to the viewpoints of the Hindus that there should be ban on cow slaughter. 

Hindus & Muslims on cow slaughter

So, many times in India, Hindus and especially Muslims are at loggerheads with each other. For Hindus cow is sacred but for Muslims it is not. So, some sections of Muslims want the right to kill and eat cows’ flesh, but Hindus want that the cows should not be slaughtered. Left liberal intellectuals known for loathing Vedic tradition and culture gleefully advocate the killing of holy cows.

Amidst all this cacophony the sufferer is the poor cow.  Cow eats raw grass which is provided abundantly by nature and converts it into milk. Now there would not be any individual who would deny the fact that they have been nourished by cow’s milk and milk products.

Cow serves us selflessly just like our noble mother who throughout her life serves us without any expectations.  So, the Vedic literature asks us to treat cow as our mother. It also asks us to protect cows and care for her just like a child is expected to take care of his mother.

Purpose behind cow protection

In Bhagavad-gita (18.44), Lord Krishna talks about cow protection : kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vaṇijyaṁ vaisya-karma svabhava jam.  Krishna is even called Gopal and Govinda. Gopal means one who takes care of cows and Govinda means one who gives pleasure to the cows.

Now why the Vedas give emphasis to serve the cows and not any other animal. To understand this let us understand the purpose of the holy book. The purpose of sacred Vedas is to help us gradually elevate our consciousness. And so, the holy book assert that as humans we should try to cultivate a sense of gratitude towards those who serves us and care for us.

Since mother cow serves us by giving milk so we should take care of her. Ideally, we should have loving attitude towards all the children of God including animals and plants but at least we have to begin somewhere. Once we start developing compassion and gratitude for cows then slowly, we will reach a stage where our heart will be filled with love and compassion for all.

A person’s greatness is not measured by how cruel he is. If this would have been the criteria then likes of Hitler and Aurangzeb would have been eulogized today. It is the character of compassions which makes a person really human.  And all the bona fide religions of the world speak the language of peace, brotherhood and most importantly tolerance. Because there can be no peace without tolerance.

Story of the Sage and the scorpion

A sage was taking bath in a river. He saw a scorpion drowning. He picked the scorpion to save its life but the scorpion bit him and fell into the river.  The sage immediately took the scorpion in his hand to save its life. But it bit him again and fell into the river.  The sage again took it out of the water. But the scorpion bit him again and fell into the water. A person who was observing all this was shocked. He thought the sage is insane. So, he asked, “Why don’t you let it die? He is not responding to your generosity”. The sage said, “Scorpion’s character is to bite others and put them in pain. But the dharma of a sage is to protect all and show compassion to all. The scorpion is not ready to give up his nature so why should I?”

Hindus and Muslims have to decide whether they want to be like a scorpion troubling & biting each other or like a sage loving and caring each other.  Muslims will not become lesser Muslims by respecting the religious beliefs of the Hindus and Hindus will not become lesser Hindus by respecting the beliefs of the Muslims.

Eating cow flesh is not mandatory for Muslims or Christians or people of any other faith

Killing cows and eating her flesh is not mandatory or part of the religious practice of Muslims. Cow killing is not compulsory even for Christians or people of any other religion. There is no glory in killing cows and eating her flesh.

Many noble Muslims also support ban on cow slaughter in India. Many have voluntarily given it up.

Leftist scholars try to vitiate religious harmony in India

Hindus and Muslims even try to get along with each other. But in India there is certain class of people who masquerade as intellectuals and these so called intellectuals do not allow both the communities to live peacefully. These left leaning intellectuals always try to demean Hindus religious beliefs. They play a vicious role in fomenting trouble between Hindus and Muslims. They instigate the Muslims against Hindus. 

Muslims should understand that these left liberals are not their well-wisher but in fact are their enemies. If Hindus and Muslims fight then they both suffer. So, it is important that these two communities should accept, respect and tolerate their religious differences.

They should not provoke each other and also not get provoked. Sometimes emotionally surcharged statements like “I love eating beef” or “Muslims will be punished for eating beef” are made. These types of statements vitiate the social fabric of India.

Respect the sentiments of Hindus by supporting ban on cow slaughter

We should create a violence free society where there is no bloodshed, where Hindus & Muslims live together peacefully without hurting and humiliating each other and without killing or maiming each other.  Not just Muslims but even Christians and people of other faith should respect the religious sentiment of the Hindus and should support ban on cow slaughter.

Muslims brothers and sisters and Christian brothers and sisters should understand that for Hindus cows are extremely sacred. Hindus worship cows. Lord Krishna is a lover of cows. So, they should also accept cow as mother and should advocate complete ban on cow slaughter in India.

Does God Exist? Srila Prabhupada, Iskcon founder acharya, says yes.

Does God exist? Most of us might have asked this question at some point of our life. I have come across many people who challenge the existence of God. They say, “If God is there then show me where he is?”

It is true that with our material senses we cannot see God. People think that just as we see the President or Prime Minister of a country, similarly, we should also be able to see God. Truth is that most of the people may not have even seen the President or Prime Minister, they mostly see them on television or read about them in newspapers or magazines.

But nevertheless, it is a fact that we do not see God with our material eyes just like we see other living beings. We do not know what he is doing now or where he is now. So, the question is genuine whether God exist or not?  Or is it that God has been made in the imagination of man?

There are many scholarly articles which gives many proof that God exist and there are also articles which proves that God does not exist. In this world we can counter almost everything just to prove our viewpoint.

I would like to share what were my reasons to believe in God. I arrived at this conclusion before reading any books on whether God exist or not.

Life originated from chemicals – True or False?

I remember the first time I read, most probably in Class VI, that life originated from chemicals and also got introduced to Darwin’s theory. Our science teacher explained in detail that how each cell of our body is made of chemicals and how the environment at the dawn of creation was suitable for the formation of life. And during that time there were multiple chemical reactions and so life originated. I am not going into all the scientific explanations which are given in the science books to prove that life came from chemicals because that is not the purpose of the article.

Although I was just a student but still, I was not able to accept this logic that “I am just made of chemicals.”  I had faith in my science book but “life came from chemicals” appeared unscientific and unreasonable. I was in utter confusion. After coming from school, I went to the terrace in the evening, and I looked into the sky. I saw the evening sun in the blue sky. Near my house was a huge tree. People would say that it is hundred years old. I saw birds chirping on the tree. Since it was evening so many birds were flying back to their nests which they had made in the tree. I saw people laughing and walking. Children running here and there and playing. Soon the stars and moon lit up the night sky.

How I concluded that God Does Exist

I was thinking that are these things happening only because of some chemical reactions? Men, women and children are talking, laughing, joking, walking, playing just because there are some chemical reactions in the body? If I observed any single part of our body, I found that it had remarkable features. For example, my eyes. I was seeing everything through my eyes. Can such eyes be made in any factory of this world? Answer is obvious.

And what about our emotions? When we see our mother, father, brother, sister, friends we feel so happy. Is it just because of chemicals?

If it is so, then why machines which are also made of material elements do not start having feelings or emotions. The more I thought, the more I got confused. By logic it was impossible to deny the existence of God or some higher power.

Next day when I went to school and when I asked this question to my science teacher, she said that “I am teaching you what is in the book, and I also do not completely believe what is in the book.” She further said that “I also believe in a higher power whom we call as God.” I was studying in a convent school, and they all believed in God. Later I found that even many of the great scientists accept that there is some higher power.

There are many things which exists, but we cannot see

One important question which always haunts a believer in God is that if God exists then why can’t we see him? And if we do not see him then why should we believe in him?

To answer this question let us first try to see if it is justified to put so much faith on our ability to see.

There are many things in this world which we cannot see with our eyes but still it exists.  Radio waves, electromagnetic waves, x rays cannot be seen with our naked eyes, but it exists. Our eyes have limitations. We can see things clearly only up to a certain distance. We may see stars which may be millions of light years away, but we do not see it exactly as they are. They appear just like a spot in the sky to us. 

Why to talk about how far our eyes can see? Something which is very close to our eyes, we cannot see that too. With our eyes we cannot see our eyelids, not even our lips or teeth. So, our eyes have many limitations. Now what we discussed was seeing material objects. Although many of these objects we cannot see with our eyes, but we can see them with mechanical instruments or devices.

But there is something which can never be seen, but it exists. And these are our emotions – feelings of joy and sorrow. Can you see it with your eyes or with any mechanical devices? Definitely not.

So, if we cannot see something with our eyes then it does not mean that it does not exist.

It implies that if we cannot see God with our eyes then it does not mean that God does not exist.

Remarkable features of the world

Now, pause for a moment, and try to closely observe the world, your surroundings. You will be struck with wonder to see the beautiful and extraordinary features of this world.  Many times, we may not notice it because we have a habit of taking things for granted. Everything in this world is perfectly managed and governed. However, there are many unscrupulous scholars who deny the existence of God and say that everything is happening in this world just by chance.

Few Examples

Let us see reflect on some of the remarkable phenomenon of the world.  

• All the necessities of our life like food grains, fruits, water, oxygen etc. we are provided to us by nature. These important items are must for our survival and are not manufactured in any man made industries.

• We inhale Oxygen and exhale CO2 which is a waste product.  Plants uses CO2 and through photosynthesis converts it into O2 making it available for us. Such a symbiotic factory wherein the waste product of humans becomes raw material of plants and waste of plant becomes raw material for us is a unique feature.

• Cow eats green grass which is abundantly available everywhere and converts it into white nutritious milk which nourishes the life of millions of people all over the world. Have we been able to build a machine which can transform raw grass into wholesome milk?

• A single tiny seed contains within it the entire banyan tree. And each banyan tree contains hundreds of seeds and each of the seeds again has the capability to produce a huge banyan tree. Have we been even remotely successful in creating any machine which can produce multiple machines on its own?

• Airplanes build by us occasionally crash or lose track or collide with other planes in the air. But the planets which are millions of times bigger than the airplanes floats like swabs of cotton and never crash or lose its trajectory or collide with other planets. 

• Energy emitted by sun/sec is so phenomenal that even if we switch on all the bulbs of the world then also all the bulbs together would not emit even a fraction of the energy which sun can emit.

World is governed by universal laws

Although the non-believers say that everything in this world is happening just by chance but the argument is ridiculous. Can all these natural phenomena happen by chance? I don’t think so.

It clearly shows that there is an intelligent brain behind this wonderful creation. And the universe is being governed by universal laws. If we just analyze ourselves, we will find that our body is a complicated machine and it runs perfectly well without our intervention.

Dr. Tony Buzon. British Psychologist, educator & author says, “The human brain is made of a trillion brain cell….and each one of these is more powerful and sophisticated than most computers around the planet today.”

Our digestive system is so well designed. We do not do anything to digest the food. We just enjoy the food. But our digestive system functions so well that the food gets converted into energy inside our body.

Scientists on Existence of God

This is why the greatest brains on this planet have humbly accepted that there is a God behind this wonderful creation.  

• If you think strongly enough, you will be forced by science to believe in God: Lord Kelvin

• There is a perfect brain behind all the natural physical laws: Albert Einstein

• This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being…This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all, and on account of His dominion He is to be called Lord God, Universal Ruler: Newton

Vedic Scriptures on Existence of God

What about the Vedic scriptures?  If we turn the pages of our ancient Vedic scriptures, we find that it unequivocally says that “God Does Exist.” Vedas not only say that God exist, but it also informs us that everything which exists in this world is created by God.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna whom the Vedic literatures describe as the Supreme Lord says,“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.” Bhagavad Gita 10.8.

In Bhagavad Gita 7.7, Lord Krishna says, “Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.”

In Brahma Samhita also it is mentioned that Krishna is the Supreme God and he the cause of all the causes i.e. everything what we see comes from him. “Kṛṣṇa who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.” Brahma Samhita 5.1.

Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 1, says, īśāvāsyam idaḿ sarvaṁ/yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat. “Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord.”

Srila Prabhupada, Iskcon founder, on Existence of God

In the purport of this verse, Srila Prabhupada, founder acharya of Iskcon, writes, “The Lord’s proprietorship over everything within the universe is confirmed in the Seventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā (7.4–5), where parā and aparā prakṛti are discussed. The elements of nature – earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and ego – all belong to the Lord’s inferior, material energy (aparā prakṛti), whereas the living being, the organic energy, is His superior energy (parā prakṛti). Both of these prakṛtis, or energies, are emanations from the Lord, and ultimately He is the controller of everything that exists. There is nothing in the universe that does not belong to either the parā or the aparā prakṛti; therefore everything is the property of the Supreme Being.”

Srila Prabhupada dedicated his life in educating people all over the world that God exists. He would say that if people accept God and start living as per the direction of scriptures then they can live happily in this world.  He established Iskcon and opened temples all over the world. In the temples he established deity worship. He also wrote several books. All this he did so that you and me can get connected to God and establish relationship with God.

Earlier we had discussed that if God is there then why can’t we see him? We cannot see him with our material eyes because our eyes are impure. However, God appears in this world in his deity form. And when we see the deity with our eyes then we are actually seeing God. And once our senses become pure, we develop genuine love for God then we will not just be able to see God but we will be able to talk to him, sing with him, play with him and dance with him.

Conclusion

The whole material world consisting of innumerable planets, stars, the sun, the moon, the gigantic oceans, the mighty wind, the plants, trees, animals, reptiles, you and me are created by God. God Does Exist and he is the supreme cause of all causes. He is the creator, maintainer and destroyer of this world.

Devotee Care Course at Iskcon New Town Kolkata

Iskcon New Town, Kolkata, organized three day “Devotee Care Course” from 26th Nov – 28th Nov 2021.  35 devotees from Iskcon participated in the course. Apart from the devotees of Iskcon New Town, Kolkata there were devotees from Iskcon Panihati, Iskcon Dhanbad and devotees from north-eastern states like Assam and Meghalaya. The total course duration was of 21 hours, and it was completed in 3 days. The class would begin at 10 am and would continue till 6:30 pm. In between there were breaks for lunch and morning and evening snacks.

HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu and HG Damodara Prabhu were the facilitators of the course. HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu is a senior devotee of Iskcon and is known all over the world for his wonderful spiritual discourses on Vedic literatures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita.

Why the need for Devotee Care Course?

Although devotees were excited about the course, but everyone was wondering why this course is required? In Iskcon devotee are aware and have attended courses/seminars on how to improve japa, how to distribute more number of Prabhupada’s books, how to study Vedic literatures scrutinizingly, how to organize festivals but for the first time many were hearing about Devotee Care Course.

So, HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu at the start of the course briefly addressed this important question – What is Devotee Care and why it is important? However, as the course progressed everyone started understanding the topic and by 3^rd day everyone was convinced that Devotee Care is indeed important and should be implemented withing Iskcon.

Devotees are the most important asset of Iskcon, and nothing can replace it. There have been many unfortunate incidents of devotees leaving Iskcon after practicing Krishna consciousness for many years or may be for many decades because they felt uncared withing the Iskcon community.  Devotees are sentient beings. They have feelings and emotions.  If they do not find their emotional needs getting fulfilled, they get broken hearted and with a heavy heart they disassociate themselves from the association of devotees. This course has been designed keeping in mind that devotees who are extremely dear to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada should be wonderfully taken care in Iskcon so that they never leave Iskcon.

HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu’s commitment for Devotee Care

HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu said that when the first time he attended the course, he got so inspired that he took a commitment that he will travel to any corner of the world to share this wonderful blessing. He said the if this course is taken seriously then it will make Iskcon what Srila Prabhupada actually wanted it to become – a beacon light for the whole world. There is only one problem in the whole world and that is lack of Krishna Consciousness and there is only one solution and that is Krishna Consciousness. And Iskcon is that organization which can give Krishna Consciousness and relieve the world from all sufferings.

One of the important highlights of the course was that everyone was engaged during the course. It was not like regular class where only the speaker speaks, and others just have to listen. There were many group exercises and skits. Everyone participated.

How it started?

Devotee Care course was first proposed in 2014. Top leadership of Iskcon showed interest in the concept. Lots of research was done while preparing the course. Questionaries were sent to leaders of Iskcon. Their inputs were taken into consideration. After due diligence Iskcon designed Devotee Care Course in 2017. A booklet was prepared. The booklet explains the importance of Devotee Care and systematically lays down guidelines as how care should be given. It also has several quotes from the scriptures, from Srila Prabhupada and from current Iskcon leadership which underlines the importance of Devotee Care. In the words of HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu “It is lifeline for devotee care. Each of the words are packed with tremendous wisdom. The more we read, the more we understand the importance of Devotee Care and get inspired to implement it.” All the participants were given the booklet at the start of the course.

Devotee Care course focusses on following four important questions

1. What is devotee care?
2. Why is it important?
3. Who is responsible?
4. How can it be practically applied? (i.e. embedded in Iskcon communities)

If all devotees are focussed on one consensus that devotee care is important then it will bring great result. It can then be widely implemented in Iskcon.

Defining Care & the need for a structure to give care

Care is a virtue. There should be a genuine desire to care for others. Especially the leaders of Iskcon should highlight the importance of giving care to the devotees. Now to give care to others without having a proper system in place is mere a lip service. Also having a system without virtue has no meaning because in that case there is no acceptance within the heart.

Lord Chaitanya cared for everyone, so he took sannyasa.  But he also made structure so that devotees are taken care. He trained devotees, instructed Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami to write books. Similarly, acharyas like Bhaktivinod Thakura and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura created system so that devotees feel protected and nourished.

Srila Prabhupada focussed so much on taking care of the devotees. He was always concerned about the well-being of the devotees. Just few days before his departure from this material world, he called HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj and asked how the movement will go on. HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj said by chanting and harinam. Srila Prabhupada said chanting and harinam is wonderful, but the movement will grow with proper organization and intelligence.

We see that Srila Prabhupada created a system.  He created GBC so that this Krishna Consciousness movement can grow in an organized way. He created BBT so that the spiritual literatures can be printed and distributed widely in a systematic way.

So, care should be as a virtue but there should also be a system put in place to give care. If any devotee faces any difficulty, they should come and get care.

HH Radhanath Swami says, “Leadership should be always asking question what it will take for each devotee to feel protected, inspired and enthused to remain in Krishna Consciousness till his/her last breath.

Vision & Mission of Devotee Care

Understanding the need of care GBC came out with a mandate for devotee care. It is described in the booklet from Page 10 -16.

The booklet describes the Vision and Mission of Devotee Care:

Vision:

Every devotee is spiritually happy and materially well -situated, positively identifying with ISKCON as a caring Society. Each devotee (a) responsibly looks after his or her diverse needs (b) can easily and successfully seek qualified help within the Society, and (c) wholeheartedly extends that care to others.

Mission:

• Ensure that the Vaishnava virtue of care pervades all aspects of the Iskcon society.
• Support and provide specific care services that enhance the spiritual, emotional, physical and social well – being of all ISKCON members.

HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu explained that vision means to see future and mission means to put efforts to make dreams into a reality. For example, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave a vision – prithvite ache yata nagaradi grama sarvatra prachara haibe mora nama i.e. in each and every town of the world my name will be chanted. And to shape his vision, he gave a mission, yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa, instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Areas and Recipients of Devotee Care

Areas of Devotee Care: 12 areas of Devotee Care have been identified. These are: (1) Spiritual Life, 2(a) Healthcare (Physical), 2(b) Healthcare (Mental/Emotional), 3 Marriage, Sex & Relationships (4) Child – rearing and child – care (5) Education (6) Career and Employment (7) Financial (8) Housing (9) Travel and Immigration (10) Consumer and Lifestyle (11) Legal and Civic (12) Mediation Advice.

And there are 12 recipients of Devotee Care:  1. Women, 2 cows, 3. Brahmanas 4. Children and youth 5. The elderly 6. Brahmachari Community 7. Grihastha Community 8. Vanaprashtas  9. Sannyasis 10. Other Temple Residents 11. Leaders 12. Senior devotees.

It was important to know what the devotees attending the class think about the areas and recipients of devotee care. The class was divided into groups, and they were asked to discuss within the group and find out which are 3 most important areas of devotee care and top three recipients of devotee care. While there were some difference of opinions but everyone agreed that the most important area is Healthcare (Mental/Emotional). Along with this priority was given to spiritual life and education. For top three recipients of Devotee Care there were Children and youth, Grihastha Community and Leaders.

Twelve principles and Values

Devotee Care should permeate every aspect of devotees’ life. And for this it is important that there are principles, guidelines, sets of practices and systems put in place. Each Iskcon temple may have emphasis on different aspects. Some Iskcon centres are run by brahmacharis, some by congregation devotees. Then there are farm communities. But for all the centres the core principle should be the same.

Six principles have been laid down for devotee care. These are – Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and example, Vaishnava Seva, Loving Relationships, Attentive Listening, Positive Sense of belonging, Spirited (PEP) Leadership.

What could be the cause of inadequate devotee care in Iskcon?

It is always better to learn from the past, so that the mistakes can be corrected and not repeated in the future. There have been instances of inadequate devotee care. In their spiritual life many devotees have gone through the experience where they felt that they did not get proper care. There are twenty-one reasons given in the booklet for inadequate devotee care. They arrived at these reasons based on the inputs they received from the worldwide devotee community.

Before going through the reasons given in the booklet, HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu asked devotees to list down the reasons which they feel are the cause of inadequate devotee care.  Interestingly devotees attending the course too agreed with the reasons given in the booklet. The top reasons for inadequate devotee care included self-interest, short – term vision, wrong priorities & lack of individual empowerment.

Devotees also enacted skits to show how inadequate Devotee Care affects them. In the skit devotees showed that how even when they are sick then no one is there to care for them. During the exam times, students are asked to go out and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books and so on.

Who is responsible for Devotee Care?

Ideally every devotee in Iskcon is responsible for Devotee Care but the leaders have to play the most important role. “Many researchers (and previously philosophers) have taught that the responsibility for embedding value in an organization rest with leaders, including administrators.” Devotee Care Education, Course Material, Page 28. Within Iskcon there are two types of leaders (a) the direct care-giver (b) the caring administrator. These two types of leaders should have proper skill set so that they can give proper care.

So, it is important that the leaders are properly trained and educated. Even in corporate world we see that one is first trained before one becomes a leader.  So, training and education is required for Iskcon leaders as well. Iskcon leaders play a significant role in embedding the culture of care within the devotee community.

HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu gave the example of HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj. He said that when HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj is away from Iskcon Chowpatty, Mumbai for a long period of time then upon returning back the first question he asks is – Are all the devotees happy? Are all the children happy?

Earlier at Iskcon Chowpatty there were differences among grihastas and brahmacharis but Maharaj made sure that both the ashramas develop genuine love and respect for each other, they value each other’s contribution.

One of the most important qualities of a leader is that he respects everyone’s opinion. So, he listens to all. Lord Rama before giving shelter to Vibhishana had a meeting with all the vanara leaders. He heard everyone, everyone felt happy and valued. So, when he decided to give shelter to Vibhishana everyone agreed.

Emphatic and Reflective Listening

For one and a half day HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu covered multiple aspects of Devotee Care. On the 2nd day after lunch, HG Damodara Prabhu took over. He helped in revising the whole subject. He spoke on the importance of developing right listening skill.  This concept he explained through a skit.

Skit on Emphatic listening

One devotee took the role of a manger of the temple. A devotee came to him with his grievances. Initially it was shown that the manager was not showing much interest in hearing the devotee’s problem. So, the devotee felt unwanted and uncared. But later when the manager heard the devotee emphatically and encouraged him and appreciated him for the services he is doing then he felt happy and cared.

People’s Emotional Vacuum

After the skit, HG Damodara Prabhu explained the importance of empathic listening.  He said that empathy means feeling other’s pain i.e para-dukha-dukhi. If we have to correct others, then first we have to connect with them. Lord Chaitanya first connected with Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and then corrected his wrong concepts and made him a devotee. If someone feels that he has been understood, then that person is going to completely get connected with us.

People have emotional vacuum and if we take care of the emotional need of a devotee by listening attentively then many problems will get resolved. He further said that where you have to give affection do not give instruction because by this problem will not get solved but will aggravate. If someone feels that someone understands him then 50% of the problem gets solved. We have two ears which are always open and a mouth which is always shut. So, let us listen with our two ears and with open hearts.

Caregivers should be cautious

The caregivers should be willing to listen and address other devotees need. They should not start giving opinion immediately and should also respect other’s opinion. Also, it is important that care givers should not micromanage a person, show partiality in dealing, be insensitive to others needs and should not get attached emotionally and physically especially with opposite gender.

After this HG Damodara Prabhu explained in detail that how devotees have to prepare Presentation on Devotee Care.

Team Presentations on Developing Devotee Care System

It was important that there should be proper assessment to ascertain that the devotees attending the course have properly understood the importance of Devotee Care. And if given an opportunity, how are they going to create a structure to implement it. To demonstrate their devotee care skill, devotees were required to make presentation on topics of their interest.  To create a system, a team is required. So, first teams were made. To prepare the team the entire class was divided into four groups and each group was given a spiritual name – Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sudarshana.

Class divided into groups

Teams were made in such a way that they can relate with a common area of interest. For example, all the grihasthas and devotees engaged in congregation preaching were in one group, devotees involved in youth preaching were in one group and so on.

For presentation, following four components were required.

1. Defining Devotee Care
2. Importance of Devotee Care
3. Leadership Roles in implementing Devotee Care
4. Strategic Planning

For strategic planning, devotees had to have a vision statement, key result areas, annual goals, foreseeable challenges and means of evaluation. They also had to do SWOT analysis while preparing strategic planning.

Although each of the teams choose their own topic for presentation but HG Damodara Prabhu was actively helping devotees in writing their vision statement, in making strategic planning and in SWOT analysis.

Each team had 20 minutes for presentation. It was followed by questions from the audience and evaluators. Needless to say, HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu and HG Damodara Prabhu were the evaluators.

The Four team made presentation on following topics:

• Jagannath group: Mental & Emotional need of Iskcon leader 
• Baladeva group:  Career and Employment for Youth
• Subhadra group: Taking care of Mental/Emotional Needs of Grihastha Communities
• Sudarshan group: Temple Grihastha Development committee

After the presentation, the audience asked questions to the teams. Later the evaluators too asked questions and gave their feedback. One interesting thing was that each team selected their topic by keeping in mind that they will try their best to implement it.

Conclusion & Certificate Distribution

After the presentation devotees were requested to speak about their experience about the course. Without fail everyone felt satisfied and grateful to Iskcon GBC for formulating this course. They shared their personal viewpoint, and all agreed that they will implement it in whatever way it’s possible. HG Acharya Ratan Prabhu said that he will work on forming a Devotee Care Team in Iskcon New Town Kolkata. Everyone thanked HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu and HG Damodara Prabhu for conducting the course in a planned and strategic way and giving their time and invaluable association to all.  HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu thanked all for taking up Devotee Care Course and requested all to apply this knowledge in their devotional life. 

At the end devotees got certificate for participating and completing Devotee Care Course. Certificates were first offered to Srila Prabhupada by HG Acharya Ratan Prabhu. And then each participant received certificate from HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu. During certificate distribution devotees were beautifully singing Hare Krishna kirtan.  And finally, there was a group photograph of all the devotees with HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu.

Reference:  Devotee Care Education, Course Material, Student Handbook