Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Know the seven benefits of Bhakti Yoga in this age of Kali Yuga

There are unlimited benefits of Bhakti Yoga. There are many yoga systems explained in the scriptures but amongst all these yoga practices Bhakti Yoga is considered topmost. Especially in this age of Kaliyuga it is quite difficult to practice other yoga systems like Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Astanga Yoga but it is easy to practice Bhakti Yoga.

Let us see the challenges of other yoga systems and benefits of Bhakti Yoga.

Challenges in Karma Yoga

There are two types of Karma Yoga – sakama karma yoga and niskama karma yoga.

In karma yoga one may have understanding about the Supreme Lord but he may not know that the Supreme Lord is Lord Krishna.

A sakam karma yogi will have attachment to the fruits of his activities and he may worship the Lord for material results. In fact, sometimes a sakam Karma yogi may also approach demigods for results. 

A sakam karma yogi gradually comes to the platform of niskama karma yoga. Niskama karma yoga means no attachment for fruitive results. Coming from the stage of sakam karma yoga to niskama karma yoga may take lots of times, it could be many lifetimes also.  In Niskama Karma Yoga, the practitioners have to do his duties perfectly as per the scriptures following varnashrama dharma but he should not be attached to the results.

It means while doing his work he should be completely detached. It is easy to say but quite difficult to practice.

Challenges in Jnana Yoga

In Jnana Yoga one acquires knowledge by studying 24 material elements. Jnana Yoga is also called sankhya yoga. By studying and analysing the 24 material elements, a Jnana Yogi tries to understand that they are souls and not material body comprising of gross and subtle elements. They also try to understand this material world and come to the conclusion that everything in this material world is temporary. With this understanding they develop renunciation.

For Jnana yogi, renunciation means negation. It means that they have to suppress all their desires and emotions and remain inactive. But as souls we cannot remain inactive. Souls need constant engagement. So, the process of Jnana yoga is dry and not pleasing to the heart.

Challenges in Astanga Yoga

In astanga yoga the practitioner has to go through different stages of eightfold yoga system. The eightfold yoga system includes – yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi. The process of elevation is gradual here. In Bhagavad Gita 6.11 – 6.14, Lord Krishna explains how astanga yoga should be practiced.

“To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kuśa grass on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should be neither too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place. The yogī should then sit on it very firmly and practice yoga to purify the heart by controlling his mind, senses and activities and fixing the mind on one point. One should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of the nose.”  Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid of fear, completely free from sex life, one should meditate upon Me within the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life.”  Bhagavad Gita 6.11 – 6.14

In this age of kali yuga people are short lived and their mind is always agitated, so it is difficult to practice astanga yoga.  These days there are almost no forest, so finding a secluded place is also very challenging.

Moreover, to practice astanga yoga one has to leave his home which may not be possible for all. For women to leave home and live in a secluded place to practice astanga yoga will be very difficult.   

7 benefits of Bhakti Yoga in this age of Kaliyuga

Now let us see why Bhakti Yoga is topmost. And what are the benefits of Bhakti Yoga as compared to other yoga systems.

1. Anyone can do Bhakti Yoga

There is no prerequisite to perform Bhakti Yoga. Men, women, young, old, Hindus, non-Hindus, Indians, non-Indians everyone is eligible to perform Bhakti Yoga. In Bhakti Yoga the most important requirement is that one has to chant the holy names of Krishna like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and follow four regulative principles of no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit sex.

2. Easy to Control mind and senses in Bhakti Yoga

In all the other three yoga process – karma yoga, jnana yoga and astanga yoga – one has to put in a lot of efforts for practicing sense and mind control. But in Bhakti Yoga the emphasis is not much on sense and mind control, but the emphasis is more on using the senses and mind in serving Krishna. Now when the senses and mind are absorbed in serving Krishna then the senses and mind automatically gets purified. And for the practitioner of Bhakti Yoga it becomes easy to control the purified senses and mind.

3. Bhakti Yoga is about relationship with Krishna

In Jnana Yoga and Astanga Yoga the process is to renounce the world, renounce the relationship. So, it is not pleasing to heart. But in Bhakti Yoga the emphasis is on developing everlasting relationship with Krishna and Krishna’s devotees, so it is pleasing to the heart.

4. One works for Krishna’s pleasure

In Niskama Karma Yoga, once does work just as a matter of duty without any desire for result. But in Bhakti Yoga one does work for the pleasure of Krishna. For example, Srila Prabhupada was always engaged in work, but he did it for the pleasure of Krishna and so Srila Prabhupada was always joyful. We see in Ramayana Hanuman worked hard for Lord Rama’s pleasure. Similarly, Arjuna fought the Mahabharat war for the pleasure of Krishna.

5. Krishna reveals knowledge in Bhakti yoga

Śravaṇaṁ (hearing) and kīrtanam (chanting) is important part of Bhakti Yoga. A Bhakti Yogi relishes the pastimes of Lord Krishna and its philosophical explanation. Hearts get purified by regularly hearing Krishna’s pastimes. And gradually the knowledge is also revealed to the Bhakti Yogi that they are souls parts and parcel of Krishna.  A Bhakti Yogi gradually understands his constitutional position as the servant of Krishna and understands that this material world is temporary. He also understands about this world and how this world functions.

6. Purification is easy and much quicker in Bhakti Yoga

In Karma yoga, Jnana Yoga and Astanga Yoga purification takes lots of times, sometimes many lifetimes. But in Bhakti Yoga one gets quickly purified especially if one gets association of pure devotees. Mrugrari, the cruel hunter, got purified by the association of sage Narada. Similarly, hippies who were indulging in many sinful activities got purified by the association of Srila Prabhupada.  In my personal life also I have seen that once I started practicing Bhakti Yoga then it became easy to give up many sinful habits like meat eating, attraction towards opposite sex etc.

7. In Bhakti Yoga one attains Krishna and goes back to Krishna’s abode

In Karma Yoga and Jnana Yoga one may come to the stage of Brahman realization. So a Karma Yogi and Jnana Yogi after leaving the body will merge into Brahman effulgence. In Astanga Yoga one may come to the stage of Paramātmā realization. An Astanga Yogi as per his consciousness gets the next destination after leaving the body. But it is only in Bhakti Yoga that one may have Bhagavan realization. Bhagavan realization is topmost, and it includes Brahman and Paramātmā realization. A Bhakti Yogi can only attain Krishna and return back to Krishna’s abode, Goloka Vrindavan.

Bhakti yoga is topmost

These seven benefits of Bhakti Yoga establishes that Bhakti Yoga is topmost yoga. This is also confirmed by Lord Krishna. “And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.” Bhagavad Gita 6.47

Srila Prabhupada explains, “The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti yoga. All other yogas are but means to come to the point of bhakti in bhakti-yoga. Yoga actually means bhakti-yoga; all other yogas are progressions toward the destination of bhakti-yoga.”  Bhagavad Gita 6.47 purport.

Knowing this a Bhakti Yogi engages every moment of his life in the service of Krishna and lives happily in this world and leaves for Krishna’s abode after leaving this world.

Srila Prabhupada 125th Birth Anniversary Coin released by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi

The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi released a special commemorative coin of Rs 125 on the occasion of 125th Birth Anniversary of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who is loving called as Srila Prabhupada.  

The coin was released via video conferencing on 1st September 2021 at 4:30 pm IST. Devotees from different parts of the world joined the ceremony via video conferencing. The program was also telecasted live on many India News Channels.

Program began with Mangalacaran by students of Iskcon Gurukul, Mayapur

The program started with the recitation of prayers by the students of Iskcon Gurukul, Mayapur. They recited Mangalacaran Prayers.

Minister of Culture, Shri G Kishan Reddy glorifies Srila Prabhupada

After Mangalacaran Prayers by Iskcon Gurukul students, the program coordinator requested, Shri G Kishan Reddy who is a Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region of India to say few words on this auspicious occasion.

The honourable minister said:

“Srila Prabhupada’s life is of dedication, devotion and courage. He promoted Krishna all over the world. He promoted India’s culture, knowledge and tradition all over the world. Prabhupada gave practical solution to all the problem. And he preached the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. Due to Srila Prabhupada one can see big number of people of different nations wearing dhoti, kurta and sari. We see them chanting Hare Krishna and speaking on puranas.

Srila Prabhupada brought cultural revolution. He is the ambassador of Indian culture and philosophy. Today Iskcon is the greatest bridge between west and east. Srila Prabhupada several times stressed the need to revive India’s spiritual cultural. Iskcon has been in the forefront in the service of downtrodden. During Covid they were cooking 4000 meals daily for people. Srila Prabhupada introduced Jagannath Rath Yatra in western world, this is one of his great achievements.

Under Prime Minister Modi India has grown. Ayurveda has become an alternative medicine. Today, India is being recognised in the world for her spirituality.

I welcome all for this event.

I thank Prime Minster Modi for releasing coin on the 125th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada.”

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj speaks on the occasion of release of coin of Srila Prabhupada on his 125th Birth Anniversary

After the speech of the Minister, the program coordinator requested HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and Iskcon GBC to speak.

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj said:

“Respected Prime Minster Mr Narendra Modi, Ministry of culture, I am grateful for your time. As you know this year is Srila Prabhupada’s 125^th birth anniversary. Around 500 years ago, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had predicted that in all corners of the world Hare Krishna Mahamantra will be chanted.

Prabhupada was born in 1896 in Kolkata. In 1922, he met a renowned Vaisnava saint and scholar Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura who became his spiritual master. At that time, he was with Gandhiji’s movement. He was good in English, so his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, asked him to take the message of Bhagavad Gita to the western world.

This instruction was given in 1922 but he was able to go to west in 1965.  He went into cargo ship, was having only Rs 40 with him. It was 35 days journey. On his way, he was thinking how to spread the message of Krishna and Chaitanya. With great struggle he reached USA.  And with great struggle, he opened the first Krishna Consciousness centre in New York. Today all over the world Iskcon temple is present.

70 crore Vedic books translated by Srila Prabhupada distributed all over the world

Today even westerns devotees wear Indian Vaisnav dress like dhoti, kurta and saris. They put tilak. Srila Prabhupada translated Vedic scriptures in English language. Today more than 70 crore Vedic books translated by Srila Prabhupada have been distributed all over the world. Many renowned universities use it.

These books are today available in almost all the languages. Prabhupada translated more than 70 books.  He wanted that these Vedic books should be read by whole world and not just by Indians. In this modern age also we can live as per the Vedas.

May God shower his mercy upon Prime Minister Modi and his government

We are thankful to Prima Minister Modi for his precious time. Srila Prabhupada’s desire was to make everyone in the world happy. We should take benefit of the scriptures and live happily. Along with that Srila Prabhupada started food for life. Today food for life is in all parts of the world. Lakhs are getting the benefit. During Covid pandemic, we opened camps for the people.

Influence of Vedic culture is spreading all over the world. We are thankful to the Prime Minister that he came to inaugurate world’s largest Bhagavad Gita.  You are inaugurating the coin; we thank you for that.

May God give great mercy to your government. It is important that we should also have spiritual knowledge. When praja, people, take benefit of this knowledge, they get benefitted. May Lord give you strength to serve the country. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna!”

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami (@GKGmedia) thanks Honourable Prime Minister Shri @Narendramodi Ji for his kind gesture of releasing of Rs 125 commemorative coin in honour of Srila Prabhupada.#prabhupada125 pic.twitter.com/c33M6MXOfz

— ISKCON (@iskcon) September 3, 2021

Release of Commemorative Coin of Srila Prabhupada, Founder Iskcon on his 125^th Birth Anniversary

After the speech of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, the program coordinator requested Prime Minister Modi to unveil the coin on the occasion of Srila Prabhupada’s 125^th birth anniversary. Everyone was eagerly waiting for this moment. 

The Prime Minister released the commemorative coin with remote.

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, speaks on the occasion of release of coin of Srila Prabhupada on his 125th Birth Anniversary

After releasing the coin, Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi spoke the following words praising Srila Prabhupada and Iskcon:

Paying tributes to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Ji. https://t.co/Os4Z23Nv4P

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2021

“Today is a very auspicious day. Two days back was Janmashtami and today is 125^th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada.  I see on my screen devotees from all over the world. It seems that lakhs of mind and body is connected to common Consciousness which is Krishna Consciousness. This is what Srila Prabhupada preached all over the world.

We all know that Srila Prabhupada was a transcendental devotee. Along with that he was a great Bharat Bhakt. He participated in non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi. He refused to take degree from Scottish college Kolkata during the non-cooperation movement.

On his 125^th birth anniversary, India is celebrating 75^th year of independence which we are celebrating as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Srila Prabhupada used to say that he is travelling to different parts of the world because he wanted to give great treasure of India to the world in the form of knowledge and culture. And he was doing so to serve the entire humanity.

Swamiji’s guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, saw his competence and gave him the instruction to take India’s philosophy to the western world.  Srila Prabhupada took the words of his spiritual master seriously and made it his mission.

Srila Prabhupada’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)

As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, our purpose is to benefit and serve the world. To achieve this, it is important to have help of all. We can imagine if Srila Prabhupada gave so much to the world and if we all by his blessings try together then how much we will gain. Message of love can be spread to each person. How much we can give to the society and to the humanity. India’s sustainable lifestyle and ayurvedic science will benefit all.  

Srila Prabhupada talked about Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Today India has made this her purpose and we are moving in that direction. Whenever I talk about Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, I tell my officials and businessmen to learn from Iskcon.

Here is why I refer to the success of the Hare Krishna movement during my interactions with people. @iskcon pic.twitter.com/CrJMZQ805I

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2021

When we go to other countries people greet us by Hare Krishna. We feel so happy, so proud. We feel at home. Just imagine if we get the same response for our make in India products then how much proud we will feel. We can learn from Iskcon and achieve our make in India goal.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu bound the world with Bhakti

Krishna said to Arjuna to attain knowledge and finally surrender to Krishna. This is called Bhakti Yoga which is given in Chapter 12 of Bhagavad Gita. Bhakti Yoga kept India’s culture alive when India was under subjugation. If Bhakti was not there then we do not know where would India have been.

आज विद्वान इस बात का आकलन करते हैं कि अगर भक्तिकाल की सामाजिक क्रांति न होती तो भारत न जाने कहाँ होता, किस स्वरूप में होता!

लेकिन उस कठिन समय में चैतन्य महाप्रभु जैसे संतों ने हमारे समाज को भक्ति की भावना से बांधा, उन्होने ‘विश्वास से आत्मविश्वास’ का मंत्र दिया: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 1, 2021

During that period Chaitanya Mahaprabhu bound the world with Bhakti. He gave the mantra of viswas (faith) to the people. He broke caste barrier and established relationship between jiva (soul) and the Lord. In India many sages and saints have come from time to time.  When world wanted Bhakti yoga, Srila Prabhupada came and Iskcon came.

एक समय अगर स्वामी विवेकानंद जैसे मनीषी आए जिन्होंने वेद-वेदान्त को पश्चिम तक पहुंचाया, तो वहीं विश्व को जब भक्तियोग को देने की ज़िम्मेदारी आई तो श्रील प्रभुपाद जी और इस्कॉन ने इस महान कार्य का बीड़ा उठाया।

उन्होंने भक्ति वेदान्त को दुनिया की चेतना से जोड़ने का काम किया: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 1, 2021

Srila Prabhupada’s struggle to establish Iskcon

For Prabhupada, it was not easy to start Iskcon.  He established Iskcon when he was 70 years old. This is the age when most people retire. It is very inspirational for all of us. We see people start saying they are too old to do or too young to do. But Srila Prabhupada from young age to old age continued focussing on his mission.

When he went to west to spread Krishna Consciousness, he did not have anything other than Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures. He got two heart attacks during his journey. He had no money, no place to stay and no surety of food.

In the words of Atal ji, former Prime Minister of India, kisi chamatkar se kam nahi (It is not less than a miracle). 

Iskcon temples and Gurukuls all over the world

Today in different parts of the world there are many Iskcon temples and Iskcon gurukuls. Iskcon has taught umang (enthusiasm), ulas (celebration) and manavta par viswas (faith in humanity). We see in different parts of the world devotees singing and dancing in kirtan.

For others it is utsav (festival) but for us it is part of our life. This attracts people. It is giving new hope to people all over the world. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that when someone loves jiva, the soul, and does not hate anyone, he is loved by God. This thought process has been propagated by Iskcon.

आज दुनिया के अलग अलग देशों में सैकड़ों इस्कॉन मंदिर हैं, कितने ही गुरुकुल भारतीय संस्कृति को जीवंत बनाए हुये हैं।

इस्कॉन ने दुनिया को बताया है कि भारत के लिए आस्था का मतलब है- उमंग, उत्साह, और उल्लास और मानवता पर विश्वास: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 1, 2021

Iskcon devotees doing Krishna seva and are brand ambassador of India

I remember when there was earthquake in Kutch, Gujarat, Iskcon came forward to help. Whether its natural calamity in Uttarakhand or Orissa, Bengal cyclone, Iskcon came to help. During Covid you all have been helping people.

In spite of the pandemic Iskcon served food to lakhs of people, made hospitals for Covid patients and is helping in vaccination.

I thank all the devotees of Iskcon. Iskcon devotees are not only doing Krishna seva (service) but also, they are brand ambassador of India.

Thanks to all. Hare Krishna!”

With this the program to honor Srila Prabhupada on his 125th Birth anniversary by releasing Rs 125 coin in his memory concluded.

Note: I have paraphrased the speech of HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister, Shri G Kishan Reddy.

Watch the video of the entire program here: https://pmindiawebcast.nic.in/2021/1sep21.html

Who is Goddess Durgā?

Brahma Samhita 5.44 explains that Goddess Durga is the “creating, preserving and destroying agency” of this material world. But she does not act independently, she does everything as per the wish of Lord Krishna.  Durgādevī is also known as Māyādevī, the illusory energy of Lord Krishna. In this world she appears as the daughter of Yashoda. Thus, she is a sister of Krishna.

“The external potency Māyā who is of the nature of the shadow of the cit potency, is worshiped by all people as Durgā, the creating, preserving and destroying agency of this mundane world. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda in accordance with whose will Durgā conducts herself.” Brahma Samhita 5.44

Characteristics of Goddess Durga

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura describes following characteristics of Goddess Durga in Brahma Samhita 5.44 purport.

• The world, in which Brahmā takes his stand and hymns the Lord of Goloka, is Devī-dhāma consisting of the fourteen worlds and Durgā is its presiding deity.
• She is ten-armed, representing the tenfold fruitive activities.
• She rides on the lion, representing her heroic prowess.
• Durgā tramples down Mahīṣāsura, representing the subduer of vices.
• She is the mother of two sons, Kārttikeya and Gaṇeśa, representing beauty and success.
• Goddess Durga is placed between Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī, representing mundane opulence and mundane knowledge.
• She is armed with the twenty weapons, representing the various pious activities enjoined by the Vedas for suppression of vices.
• And she holds the snake, representing the beauty of destructive time.

Why does Goddess Durga come to this material world?

In this material world which is described as “fort”, Durgā plays an important role. “Fort” in Sanskrit means Durga.  And Durgā Devi is the presiding deity of this fort (durga) which is like a prison house. To protect this fort, she carries ten different types of weapons in her hands. So, no one can escape from this fort no matter how powerful he may be.

Krishna confirms this in Bhagavad Gita 7.14, daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī/mama māyā duratyayā. “This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome.” 

Different names of Goddess Durgā

Durgā Devi is the external potency of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this world she is worshipped in different places by different names.  Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.11-12 says the following things about Durgā Devi:

“Lord Kṛṣṇa blessed Māyādevī by saying: In different places on the surface of the earth, people will give you different names, such as Durgā, Bhadrakālī, Vijayā, Vaiṣṇavī, Kumudā, Caṇḍikā, Kṛṣṇā, Mādhavī, Kanyakā, Māyā, Nārāyaṇī, Īśānī, Śāradā and Ambikā.”

Who comes to this material world?

People like us who have forgotten our service to Krishna are sent to this prison, fort.  And here, we the souls are bound in gross and subtle material body.  Gross body comprises of earth, water, fire, air and ether. Subtle body consists of mind, intelligence and false ego.

So, in this mundane world we do not have full freedom and the material pleasure which we get here is always contaminated by pain.

Three types of sufferings in this world

In a prison, the prisoners are punished for different crimes. A prison cannot expect comfortable life confined in a cell. So, we see that in this world we constantly experience different kinds of sufferings. Scriptures explain three different types of suffering we undergo in this mundane world.

• adhidaivika-klesa: Sufferings caused by the higher powers like the demigods.
• adhibhautika-klesa:  Sufferings caused because of other living beings
• adhyatmika-klesa : Sufferings because of one’s own body and mind

These punishments which we get here is to remind us that this is not our permanent home, and no amount of material comforts can free us from miseries. Through these punishments Durgā Devi wants to reform us, the prisoners.

Regarding Durgā Devi’s activities in this world, Srila Prabhupada explains, “She is Vaiṣṇavī. She is a great devotee of Kṛṣṇa. But she has accepted a thankless task: to punish. The policeman is a sincere government servant, but he has accepted a task, nobody likes him. If some policeman comes here, immediately you shall feel disturbed. But he is the sincere servant of government. That is the position of Māyā. Her business is to punish these rascals who have come to enjoy here. You see? But she is a sincere servant of God.”

Goddess Durga fulfils material desires reluctantly

But in spite of so much suffering you and I still want to enjoy this world. Most of the people due to ignorance believe that with the help of material wealth they can live happily here. So, they seek material benedictions like wealth, property, worthy progeny, beautiful spouse, good health from Goddess Durgā.  Goddess Durgā can fulfil material desires.

“By sacrifices of animals, ordinary human beings will worship you gorgeously, with various paraphernalia, because you are supreme in fulfilling the material desires of everyone.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.10

Although she fulfils these desires, but she does it reluctantly. Because she knows that in this world which comprises of 14 planetary systems no one can be permanently happy. Death which is the supremely reality of the material world snatches away everything from us. So, she wants us to go back to Krishna and live in Krishna’s kingdom, Goloka Vrindavan, where everything is eternal including our life.

When does Goddess Durgā becomes happy?

She becomes happy when she sees a soul trying his best to become a devotee of Krishna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura explains, “The work of purifying these penalized jīvas is the duty devolved upon Durgā. She is incessantly engaged in discharging the same by the will of Govinda. When, luckily. the forgetfulness of Govinda on the part of imprisoned jīvas is remarked by them by coming in contact with self-realized souls and their natural aptitude for the loving service of Kṛṣṇa is aroused, Durgā herself then becomes the agency of their deliverance by the will of Govinda.” Śrī Brahma-Saṁhitā 5.44 Purport

Goddess Durgā, the sister of Krishna, comes to this world to make us a devotee of Krishna. So let us not pray to her for material wealth. But let us beg her for spiritual wealth. Let us pray to her to remove all material desires from our hearts and make us a devotee of her beloved Krishna.

What Krishna says about lust in Bhagavad Gita? It destroys life.

Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that lust is the biggest enemy of men and women in this world. It destroys a person’s life completely.

In Bhagavad Gita 3.36, Arjuna has a question. He asks Krishna, “Why is it that one ends up committing sins even if he is unwilling to do it?” You might have this question too. Sometimes you do not want to do something sinful but ends up doing it.  Let us see what Krishna says to Arjuna.

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material mode of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world.”  Bhagavad Gita 3.37.

Lust forces a person to do things even if he does not want to do it. So, Krishna says lust is the sinful enemy of this world.

What is the origin of lust?

In the spiritual world everyone has love for Krishna. But when one wants to enjoy in this material world away from Krishna then love transforms into lust.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “When a living entity comes in contact with the material creation, his eternal love for Kṛṣṇa is transformed into lust, in association with the mode of passion. Or, in other words, the sense of love of God becomes transformed into lust, as milk in contact with sour tamarind is transformed into yogurt.” Bhagavad Gita 3.37 purport.

Can lust be satisfied?

No matter how best we try we cannot satisfy lust.  This is confirmed by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. “Thus the wise living entity’s pure consciousness becomes covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire.” Bhagavad Gita 3.39.

For example, Ravana had many queens and one of his queens was Mandodari who was very beautiful and chaste. But still impelled by lust, Ravana also wanted to enjoy with mother Sita.  Desire to enjoy with opposite sex is very strong in material life.

As prisoners are bound by shackles in a prison. Similarly in this material world everyone including you and me are bound by the shackles of lust.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “Therefore, this lust is the symbol of ignorance by which the living entity is kept within the material world. While one enjoys sense gratification, it may be that there is some feeling of happiness, but actually that so-called feeling of happiness is the ultimate enemy of the sense enjoyer.” Bhagavad Gita 3.39.

Lust is not just the desire to enjoy with the opposite sex. Any form of sense gratification is lust. “Sense gratification” means any desire to satisfy our senses rather than Krishna’s senses. As long as we are affected by lust, we will remain miserable.

Trying to satisfy lust is like pouring ghee in the fire. The more we try to satisfy lust, our lust becomes stronger. When lust is not satisfied then it gives rise to anger. Many times, it makes a person insane. So, at any cost we should give up lust.

At what stage we should control lust?

This human life is special. In this life it is possible for us to free ourselves from lust. And transform our lust into love for Krishna.  Lust covers our real knowledge. We forget that we are parts and parcels of Krishna. We start thinking that we are material beings, and the purpose of our life is to enjoy our material senses.

But lust has to be controlled. And it can be controlled. Krishna explains that we should try our best to control our lust. It is always better to control the lust in the beginning.  Krishna says to Arjuna, “Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bhāratas, in the very beginning curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.” Bhagavad Gita 3.41

To control lust, we should control our senses.  The first step is that we should not allow our senses to engage in any form of activities which will aggravate lust. Also, it is important that we should not contemplate on the objects of the senses. For this, we should flood our mind with Krishna Conscious thoughts and activities. By doing this our mind will get busy with Krishna Conscious subject matters. And it won’t have time to think about lusty subject matters.

As of now our understanding is that we will become happy if we satisfy our material desires. But the truth is that we will become happy if we do not engage our senses in fulfilling our material desires.  And we will become supremely happy if we start engaging our senses in serving Krishna.

Personal experience with lust

In my personal life also, I have observed that many activities I do not want to do but many times I end up doing it. It seems as if someone is compelling me do it. When I was not into Krishna Consciousness then I did not know what is good for me and what is bad for me. But after coming to Krishna consciousness, I understood what is harmful for my life. But in spite of knowing that sense gratification is harmful it is not always easy to give it up.

Many times, I took a vow to give up sense gratification. I succeeded for few days then I found that there is some force within me which is forcing me to indulge in those activities. For example, I find very challenging to give up internet addiction especially reading online news. Although I try to restrain myself, but I fail quite a number of times. 

However, the best thing about Krishna Consciousness is that although initially it may look that giving up certain non-Krishna Conscious activities are difficult but if we pray to Krishna and try to work on it then gradually we are able to give it up. I won’t be right to say that I have been able to completely give up addiction for internet. But I can confidently say that it is reducing day by day. 

And I am hopeful that if I follow Krishna’s advice and Srila Prabhupada’s teachings then I will be able to give my lust for material sense gratification one day. For me, internet addiction.

What is the best way to control lust according to Krishna in Bhagavad Gita?

To give up lust, it is important that we do not surrender to the demands of our senses and mind. But instead using our intelligence we should educate our mind about the harmful effects of lust which is sense gratification. To strengthen the intelligence, it is important that we do sincere spiritual practice. And read life transforming books like Bhagavad Gita.

Krishna gives us a formula by which we can control lust. He says, “O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Kṛṣṇa consciousness] and thus – by spiritual strength – conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.”  Bhagavad Gita 3.43

Control lust before it controls you. Destroy lust before it destroys you.

My prayer to Lord Krishna on his appearance day, Janmashtami

Dear Krishna, the day when you appeared in this world is celebrated as Janmashtami all over the world. This year, 2021, we are celebrating Janmashtami on 30^th August. In Bhagavad Gita 8.15, you say that this world is duhkhalayam, abode of miseries. But still you appear here in every millennium because you feel pain when you see us in pain.

But unfortunately, people like me who have chosen to live here do not realize that we are in pain. In fact, our consciousness is so blunted that many times we consider pain as pleasure. Just like a hog who considers stool as a palatable food.

In spite of trying my best I have hardly experienced any happiness in this world. Any success or achievement we get here is always accompanied with fear and anxiety.  So, in reality there is no happiness. But in spite of these experiences, I hope again and again of finding happiness in this material world.

My mind is always full of desires. And with a shame I want to admit that all my desires are material. And this is the root cause of all my sufferings.

My wrong desires making me miserable

I do not have desire to take your shelter. Although in Bhagavad Gita 18.66 you say to me through Arjuna that if I take your shelter then you will free me from all my past sins and thus I won’t suffer here. “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66.  

In fact, by taking your shelter I will be freed from all the fear of this world. But still, I fail to follow your instructions. It is because my mind is always overflooded with material desires.

Many times, I have tried to purge all worldly cravings from my mind but again and again I have failed.

You say in Bhagavad Gita that you reciprocate with us as per our desires – ye yathā māṁ prapadyante/tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham. “As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly.” Bhagavad Gita 4.11.

But as I said earlier Krishna, all my desires are wrong desires.  And this is the reason that I am living here all alone away from you.

Why I am not able to see you, Krishna?

Although I voluntarily decided to not live with you but you never abandoned me.  Right now also you are present in my heart as Supersoul, Paramatma. But because of my contaminated consciousness I cannot see you. A blind person sees darkness everywhere even when the sun is shining bright. Similarly, a spiritually blind person like me fails to see your beautiful effulgent transcendental form although you are here in my heart.

How unfortunate I am. My anarthas (vices) – lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion – is separating me from you. I do not have the power to free myself from these anarthas. Honestly speaking I also do not have much desire to free myself from these anarthas.

Krishna, you are most merciful

Dear Krishna, please be merciful upon me. You have been merciful even to the demons who came to kill you. Putana came to give you poisonous milk, but you removed all the poisons from her milk and gave her the position of a mother in your spiritual kingdom. Who can be more merciful other than you?

Because of my wrong desires my mind has become poisonous and is now not allowing me to devote my life to you. It has made me insane. Although I try to serve you but my powerful mind does not allow me do so.

But why should I blame my mind?

It is me who have misused my free will and allowed the mind to enjoy the so-called pleasures of this world.

Unfortunately, I forgot to control my mind

In the journey of my life I forgot to control my mind. And now my mind controls me. I do not remember the exact date when my mind started overpowering me. But if I try to look back I find that I have always been under the subjugation of my mind. I have been in this material world for many lifetimes.  And in each life I have just tried to enjoy the material pleasures through my mind and senses. 

And now my mind has become so strong that it refuses to listen to me. It disobeys me. It controls me. I am a puppet of my mind. But I do not want to suffer anymore because of my mind. I am going through these sufferings because of my unholy desires. I know that as soon as I develop the desire to serve you all my misfortune will go away from my life.

All the miseries will disappear just as darkness disappears as soon as the sun appears.

My prayer to Lord Krishna

On this auspicious occasion of Janmashtami I beseech you Krishna to purify my desires. Shower your mercy upon me so that I develop spiritual desire, the desire to constantly serve you. I beg you to purify my heart of all the anarthas which is separating me from you.  Dear Lord Krishna, please consider my prayer. I am an ignorant person who does not know what is good for me.

Like a madman in the mental asylum thinks that he is the king of the whole world. Afflicted by my material madness I think I can control my life. But the fact is that I am just a puppet, and you are the puppeteer.

Please take control of my mind and make me your puppet.  

Dear Lord Krishna, my prayer at your lotus feet on this auspicious occasion of your appearance day is that please purge my mind of all material thoughts. Let my mind only think of you. Let my mind experience joy in always singing your glories. Let my mind develop distaste for the illusionary pleasures of this temporary world.

Let my mind have only one desire – the desire to serve you every moment of my life, life after life.  

Vyasa Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada on his 125th Appearance Day

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

This year we are celebrating your 125th Vyasa Puja. But because of my ignorance I do not know how to glorify you. Please forgive me for my incompetence. I owe my life to you.  You are full of compassion, full of mercy. This is the reason you are ready to shower your mercy upon souls like me who do not have much inclination towards spiritual life. To save unfortunate souls like me you came to this world. You carried the teachings of Lord Chaitanya with you. You were always eager and ready to serve your dear Lord, Lord Chaitanya. And to please him you were even ready to go to hell and serve the suffering souls there.

In one of your diary entries, you share your heart.

Srila Prabhupada’s Diary

Sunday 6 March 1966

Sunrise at 6/30. Sunset at 5/53 Moon rise at 5/28 Full Moon 8/46 pm.*

Today whole day passed at Monroe Ananda Ashram. In the morning there was kirtan and it was very much appreciated.

Returned from Monroe at 6 pm.

Talked with Mr. Majid of Tehran (Iran). Interested in spiritual rejuvenation of the world. Took lesson for more than one and a half hour.

According to Mayapur Panjika* today is Adhivas day of Gour Purnima. Devotees at Vrindaban and Nabadwipa are enjoying the celebration. I am here alone without any devotee companion. But I have come here to serve the Lord and not for personal happiness. I am prepared to live in hell even if I am able to serve the Lord. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that His mission should be propagated all over the world and that is my objective. I do not mind the inconvenience personally felt.

Source: https://prabhupadabooks.com/diaries/beginning/1/1/sunday_6_march

Because of your extraordinary determination you have succeeded in your mission of fulfilling Lord Chaitanya’s mission.  Today it is because of your mercy that millions of people like me are being saved from going to hell.

Why happiness always eludes us?

Each one of us struggle in this world to be happy but we do not know what it means to be happy. We think that by satisfying the demands of our material mind and senses we will become happy. We think that if we get power, position, prestige in the society then we will become happy. So, we dedicate our life in serving the unholy demands of our senses and mind.  But in spite of our best efforts, happiness eludes us.

If a thirsty man drinks sea water to quench his thirst, then he will become more miserable. Similarly, when we try to satisfy our hungry heart with the things of this contaminated world, we become more miserable.  You came to educate us that the hunger of our heart can only be satisfied if we give our heart to Krishna.  Srila Prabhupada, you taught us how to sincerely practice devotion to Krishna. You practically showed us how we can become a sincere devotee of Krishna even in this age of Kaliyuga.

Srila Prabhupada’s greatest gift to mankind

In fact, millions of people all over the world should be eternally indebted to you because you have opened the door of the spiritual world for each and everyone of us. I never new there is some place called spiritual world. Most of the people did not know about it. Although the acharyas have spoken about it, Krishna himself has spoken about it but in this age of downfall this supreme transcendental secret was almost forgotten. You revived that knowledge and showed us the glimpse of the spiritual world through your transcendental literatures. This is the greatest gift you have given to mankind. You came to invite us to join Krishna in Krishna’s abode.

Without light darkness cannot be quelled. Similarly, you made it clear that without Krishna happiness is impossible. You gave us hope that attaining Krishna’s abode is indeed possible. The only requirement is that we should purify our hearts of all material desires and enthrone Krishna in our hearts.

Srila Prabhupada taught how to experience spiritual pleasure in material world

It is not that we will experience spiritual joy only when we will return to the spiritual world. If we live as per your teachings, then even in this life we can enjoy transcendental pleasure.

In Bhagavad Gita 18.54 purport you write, “The world is miserable for the materially infected person, but for a devotee the entire world is as good as Vaikuṇṭha, or the spiritual sky.” You taught us that we can be freed from our material diseases if we constantly engage all our senses and the mind in the service of Krishna.  If we do so, then this world will not inflict sufferings upon us.

“A devotee’s senses are not attracted by material enjoyment. And even though the material world is full of misery, the devotee considers this material world to be also spiritual because everything is engaged in the service of the Lord. The difference between the spiritual world and material world is the mentality of service.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.4.25)

In one of the lectures HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj says that we do not have to do anything extra. Whatever is required to go to the spiritual world has been given to us by Srila Prabhupada. So, we just need to follow your instructions as it is. 

Begging for the shelter of Srila Prabhupada on his 125^th Vyasa Puja

Dear Srila Prabhupada, this year we are celebrating your 125^th Vyasa Puja. Although we cannot see you today with our mundane eyes, but you are always present in our heart. Today your books and teachings are transforming the lives of millions of people all over the world. You are saving us from going to hell. You are the one who is transferring the sufferings souls of this world to the spiritual world. 

Dear Srila Prabhupada, on this auspicious occasion of your 125^th anniversary of appearance, Vyasa Puja, I beg at your lotus feet for your shelter. Please purify my intelligence so that I can understand your instructions. And please give me strength and determination so that I do not deviate from spiritual standards and live my life as per your teachings and instructions.

Your insignificant servant

Purushottam Nitai Das, Kolkata

Gaur Nitai deities arrive in Iskcon Newtown Kolkata

Gaur Nitai deities have arrived in Iskcon New Town Kolkata. To welcome the deities, a special program was held on 23^rd August 2021. The deities will be installed after few months. If everything goes fine then may be during Nityananda Trayodashi period the deities will be installed. Iskcon New Town Kolkata is also called as Iskcon Goshala.

HG Dayaram Prabhu, President Iskcon Kolkata, spoke how the Iskcon Newtown Temple within a short span of time have grown significantly. The number of brahmacharis (monks) staying in the temple have increased and also many congregation devotees have got connected to the temple.

This is what HG Dayaram Prabhu said:

Srila Prabhupada went alone to the west without any support. He was penniless and got two heart attacks during his journey. But he never gave up. He had faith and conviction that if I try to fulfill the instruction of my guru maharaj then automatically things will happen. He went to the west and it is said that rest is history.

Before him other sannyasi disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura also went to preach in the west but did not get much success. Even with the support of the institution – Gaudiya Math. They were brilliant sannyasis. Some even spoke German but did not get much success. But Srila Prabhupada was penniless. With conviction, he surrendered.

Commitment of one, two or three people can change things. It is always one or two committed people who change the world.

Two years back we decided that we will have centers in Kolkata – in Goshala and in Motijheel. But there were lots of doubt that how it will work. It was decided that initially Iskcon Kolkata, 3c Albert Road temple will give support. But I am surprised with both the centers have done well. Have become self-sufficient and there are lots of development.

Devotees should work hard to build big Iskcon temple

Preaching has expanded. Temple is nicely maintained. Big brahmachari room has come up. Things developed without our expectation. It has picked up momentum now. If all devotees come together and put their mind and heart then things happen. We did not expect so much fund raising. Devotees can take more responsibility to build big temple. We have to bring it into reality.

HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj wanted this to happen. Unfortunately he left his body. Krishna is giving more responsibility.  Krishna sends result. Ultimately, we cannot lay claim on the result because result is in Krishna’s hand. In Bhagavad Gita it is mentioned that five things causes result and one of them is paramatma. If we put endeavour then Krishna will empower us. Even congregational devotees can do incredible service.

Congregation Devotees can also play a major role in building the temple

Prabhupada send to London three grihasta couples. They went without any support to London. More or less without any help three couples established huge preaching in United Kingdom. They brought George Harrison in fold, one the famous Beatles. He was so much inspired by three couples and their commitment. Because of his push, Hare Krishna became household name.

Western devotees were from degraded background. People with such background were so much transformed in 3 years that they did huge preaching. I do not see any reason why we cannot do it.

Problems will be there but if we do our duty Krishna will reciprocate

There is nothing that can stop us other than our lethargy. I humbly request that do not let petty issues come in our way to render service to Prabhupada. There is no painless and difficult less situation in his world, it is duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam. Problems will be there, we have to face it. But we have to work in spite of it.

Srila Prabhupada faced so many problems. He had no place to stay, he stayed with drunkards, his typewriter was stolen, drug addicts would come to harm him. But he was determined. Nothing can hinder our progress. Initially there were problems with funds. Now it is taken care.

If we do things properly then eventually a big temple will come. If we do our duty then Krishna will reciprocate.  

Devotees sing  Boro Krpa Koile Krsna

After Dayaram prabhu’s talk devotees sang one of the most famous songs written by Srila Prabhupada – Boro Krpa Koile Krsna

This song was written by Srila Prabhupada on Jaladuta when he was about to arrive Amercia for the preaching mission.

After the beautiful song, HG Ananga Mohan Prabhu spoke.

This is what HG Ananga Mohan Prabhu said

One saintly person was going from village to village with disciples and giving blessings. In One village, he said that be happy and live here together. And in another village, he said that may you all separate.

His disciples were surprised. One of them asked that why you gave these two different blessings in two villages.

Guru explained:

In the village where I said may you all always stay together, the people there were bad in their behaviour. So, if they stay together in the same village then bad things won’t spread.

In the village where I said that may you all separate because in that village all are good people. If they spread everywhere then they will spread good things.

Kolkata has given so many devotees who are now going to different places and spreading Krishna Consciousness.

In every one and half a month we should have such sanga of devotees where all the devotees can together. It is such a blissful thing.

Once one devotee complained to Srila Prabhupada that the President of the temple is always chastising. But one nice thing about him is that he sings nice. Prabhupada said that I am happy that you are glorifying that he sings nice.  You should tolerate every other things of him just like I am tolerating you.

Even Gaudiya mission was a glorious mission but faced problem.  Srila Prabhupada took the best things and gave to his disciples. Iskcon is growing nicely. So many centers are getting inaugurated.

Srila Prabhupada birthplace to be offered to the entire world

We all should come together for Srila Prabhupada. We are offering Srila Prabhupada birthplace to the entire Iskcon devotees of the world on 31^st August and 1^st Sep. If we serve with happy mind then glories will come to us. We should do best to sustain our centres and assist other centres too. We should have love among each other and be sensitive to others as well.

Devotees take darshan of the recently arrived Gaur Nitai deities in Iskcon Newtown Kolkata

Devotees got an opportunity to take darshan of the beautiful Gaur Nitai deities at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata which have arrived from Jaipur. New puja room for the deities are also built and it was inaugurated by HG Dayaram Prabhu. After the inauguration devotees went in a queue to the puja room for darshan.

The deities are still in the boxes. The boxes were opened so that we could take blessings of the deities. HG Acharyaratan Prabhu requested devotees to not click pictures of the deities as the deities have not yet been installed. The darshan was accompanied with melodious Hare Krishna kirtan.

Devotees felicitated, program ends with Guru Puja and prasadam

Those devotees who have been working hard to serve the temple and build the new temple were felicitated.

At the end HG Radharaman Prabhu explained that how at war footing construction is going on at Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace.

At the end there was Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja followed by delicious prasadam.

Hope that Gaur Nitai Deities will be installed in Iskcon Newtown Kolkata soon and the devotees will get an opportunity to take darshan of the deities and serve the deities.

My Prayer to Lord Balarama on Balarama Jayanti

Today is Balarama Jayanti, the day of Lord Balaram.  It is on this day that Lord Balarama appeared in this material world. Son of Rohini, the darling of braja, Lord Balaram came to this world for people like us. He appeared as elder brother of Lord Krishna. On this auspicious day I pray at the lotus feet of Lord Balaram to give me intelligence and determination so that I can become sincere in my spiritual practice.

Balarama serves Krishna in five rasas

Lord Balarama, you are the first plenary expansion of Krishna. You are always with Krishna. You live to serve Krishna. You serve Krishna in all the five rasas – shanta rasa, dasya rasa, sakhya rasa, vatsalya rasa and madhurya rasa.

To serve Krishna in shanta rasa you expand through your energy as Goloka Vrindavan where Krishna performs so many wonderful pastimes. To serve Krishna you become Krishna’s crown, flute, slipper, clothes, ornaments, umbrella, bed, clothes.

You always try to serve Krishna as menial servant in dasya rasa and assist him in his pastime. Srila Prabhupada writes, “Although Lord Baladeva appeared before the birth of Lord Kṛṣṇa and is therefore Kṛṣṇa’s worshipable elder brother, He used to act as Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servitor.” Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi Lila 6.76

In sakhya rasa, you play, wrestle, argue, fight, dance and eat with Krishna.

In vatsalaya rasa you are always concerned about Krishna’s well-being. You make sure that Krishna has eaten properly. When it is late you ask Krishna to return home. In the forest when it is dark you become very protective for Krishna.

To serve Krishna in madhurya rasa, you expand as Ananga Manjari and become the younger sister of Radharani. You then assist Radha and Krishna in their conjugal pastime.

You are always engaged in serving Krishna, the Supreme Lord.

Also Read: Damodar Lila: Why Balaram could not untie Krishna

Balarama always accompanies Krishna

When Krishna expands as Lord Vishnu, you become Ananta Sesa. As Anant Sesa you become the bed of Lord Vishnu, you become the crown of Lord Vishnu. You have innumerable hoods and uncountable mouth. From each of your mouth you continuously glorify the Supreme Lord.

When Krishna appeared as Lord Rama you appeared as his younger brother Lakshman. Because you cannot live without a moment away from Rama, you accompanied Lord Rama and mother Sita in the forest. For the 14 years when you lived in forest you decided not to sleep even for a moment so that you can serve Lord Rama and his consort mother Sita every moment.

Balarama teaches us to always serve Krishna

With these examples you teach us that every moment of our life should be utilized in serving the Lord.  My life should be only for the service of the Lord. When will I get the determination and desire to follow your instructions and serve you constantly? Even after hearing again and again that the purpose of life is to serve you and Krishna, I still prefer to serve my sensual desires.

Dear Balarama I pray for your mercy

Instead of developing attraction for the Supreme Lord Krishna I still remain attracted towards the flickering pleasures of this material world.  Instead of developing deep attachment for Krishna I still remain attached to this ephemeral world.  Although I know that this world is temporary still I live as if I have to live here forever. In spite of knowing that this body is perishable I am always busy trying to satisfy the never-ending demands of my body. Instead of utilizing my senses in serving you, I am busy serving my senses and mind.  Instead of accepting you as my master, I have become slave of my mind and senses.  Most of the time, I find myself busy serving the unholy demands of my senses.

Because of being in this material world for many lifetimes my material disease has become too severe. As a terribly sick person becomes insane and forgets what is good for him or bad. My material disease is so severe that I fail to understand what is good for me and what is bad for me.

An expert doctor can cure a seriously patient. You are the Supreme doctor, so please consider my plea and cure me of all material diseases.

You are my only shelter

Other than you, I do not have any shelter. If you leave me, where will I go.

Although I know the importance of taking your shelter but still I fail to take your shelter. My mind is not in my control. My senses refuse to listen to me.

Just like a child caught up in the middle of the ocean surrounded by blood sucking crocodile cries desperately for help. I am also caught up in this material world surrounded by the poisonous senses. I seek your help. I am helpless in front of my powerful senses. Again and again I try to serve you but again and again my senses do not allow me to serve you.

Other than you, no one can rescue me. No one is as merciful like you. A helpless child in the middle of the gigantic ocean can be saved by an expert swimmer.  You are the creator of the gigantic oceans. Upon you the entire material universe rests. So be merciful upon me and save me from the unending miseries of this material world.

Dear Balarama I beg for your shelter

Please purify my senses so that my senses start taking pleasure in serving the lotus feet of Krishna.

Please remove all the impurities from my mind and inundate it with Krishna conscious thoughts.

Please give me intelligence so that I become convinced that material pleasure is the cause of all the misery and not the source of happiness.

Please bless me so that each and every moment of life I should only think of Krishna.

Please shower your mercy upon me so that I lose all taste for this material world.

Human life is useless if it is not used in the service of the Lord. I got this human life by your mercy. So, I beg you to be merciful upon me so that I do not waste my human birth.  Request you to free me from my helpless condition and give me the shelter of your divine lotus feet.

The most important reason behind Ravana’s death

Lust was the most important reason behind Ravana’s death. Shurpanakha, his sister cunningly planted the seed of lust in Ravana’s heart which became the cause of his downfall.

Shurpanakha wanted revenge because Rama and also Lakshman had refused her proposal of marriage. In anger, she tried to attack Sita and so Lakshman had to cut her nose. It was just a token punishment. She was furious. With her disfigured nose, she barged into the assembly of Ravana.

Shurpanakha describes Sita’s beauty to Ravana’s

Crying pitiful she said, “Ravana, my beloved brother, in the forest I saw a woman called Sita whose beauty is incomparable in the entire creation.  Such a lovely woman who is more beautiful than any celestial woman is meant to be your wife. For you, I tried to snatch her away from her husband, Rama. But Lakshman, Rama’s brother, attacked me and cut my nose. For your sake, I suffered. Sita’s beauty is not of this world. She has a tender body, lotus eyes, soft lips and glowing face. If you get her, you will enjoy pleasure more than what the celestial beings enjoy. Go in the forest to see her beauty. And if you have any feelings for your sister then do punish the two brothers.”

Shurpanakha’s description of Sita’s beauty charmed the heart of Ravana. The more he thought about her, the flame of the fire of lust made him mad for her. He became desperate for her. He wanted Sita, Rama’s wife, at any cost.

Shurpanakha succeeded in her mission. She had cleverly planted the seed of lust in Ravana’s heart. She knew her brother was lusty. So, he will definitely try to get Sita. And when Rama and Lakshmana will oppose, his brother will kill the two brothers. Thus, she will succeed in avenging the insult.

Why Ravana failed to satisfy his lust?

In Bhagavad Gita 2.62 – 2.63, Krishna says that our miseries start taking shape as soon as we start contemplating on the objects of the senses. Contemplation gradually leads to attachment for the object and attachment give rise to lust. A lust haunted person tries his best to satisfy his material desires. But the way this world is created that no matter how best we try, we cannot fulfil our lust. Trying to satisfy lust is like pouring ghee in fire. The more we try to satisfy our lusty desires, our craving for that desire keeps on increasing. And our sufferings too increase in that proportion.

Just like a spark if unchecked has the capability of burning the entire house. Similarly, even a tiny little material desire if not checked slowly becomes too big to handle. It completely overpowers us and compels us to act on that desire. Many times, our worldly desires force us act in a sinful way for which we have to suffer.  

Ravana’s misery began as soon as he developed a desire to enjoy Sita. To satisfy his nasty craving he kidnapped Sita and brought her to his kingdom, Lanka. But he failed to enjoy with Sita. Whenever he approached Sita, she rebuked him. He was insulted again and again by Sita.  The mighty king of Lanka had become a laughingstock. 

Did Ravana had a chance to rectify his mistakes?

It was not that Ravana, the demon king, did not have the chance to rectify his mistake.

His well-wishers tried to reason with him, make him understand the dangerous path he was pursuing.

Vibhishana, his brother, told him that it is improper to kidnap another’s wife. Mandodari, his chaste wife, who was herself extremely beautiful, tried to counsel him to give up attachment for another woman.  Hanuman, Lord Rama’s dearest devotee, too tried to persuade him to return mother Sita. But Ravana, the ten-headed lusty fool refused all the good advice.

And finally, Lord Rama had to kill him.   

Most important reason behind Ravana’s death

No one was the cause of Ravana’s misery, humiliation and death. Lust was the main reason behind Ravana’s death, the cause of his ultimate annihilation.  History is testimony to the fact that lusty men (and also women) have never lived happily. Many powerful kings lost their kingdom because of their obsession for opposite sex.

The lesson which we should learn from Ravana’s life is that we should never allow lust to grow in our heart. We should constantly check our heart for any lusty desires.  If it is there then nip it in the bud. Because if left unchecked then it will completely destroy us.

Everything begins with contemplation.  Ravana heard about Sita’s physical beauty then began contemplating upon it and eventually started acting on that wrong desire.  And finally, lust became the main reason behind Ravana’s death.

How can we engage our senses in positive spiritual activities?

What we see, what we hear, what we read and with whom we associate plays an important role in shaping our thought process. So, we should not allow our senses to indulge in any wrong activities. But senses need constant engagement and mind cannot remain empty. So, we should give our senses positive engagement. 

• If we engage our eyes in reading spiritual literatures like Krishna book or Ramayana then our mind will constantly contemplate on the pastimes of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. We will slowly lose taste for reading books which arouse lusty desires.

• If we engage our eyes in seeing the beautiful deities of Krishna and Rama then our eyes will remain absorbed in relishing the divine form of the Lord. Eyes will then not look for lusty objects.

• If we regularly hear kirtan and pastimes of the Lord then those transcendental words will constantly reverberate in our ears. In fact, our ears will again and again look for an opportunity to hear those divine words.

Association with devotees of Lord can transform our life completely.  There are several examples in scriptures regarding this.  A prostitute, Lakshahira, full of lusty desires went to Haridas Thakura to pollute him. But instead of polluting the great devotee, she quickly got purified of her lusty desires because of Haridas Thakura’s association. Haridas Thakura would always remain absorbed in chanting the names of Krishna. When Srila Prabhupada went to west in 1965 then scores of American boys and girls were quickly able to give up their sinful habits because of Prabhupada’s association. They became sincere devotees of Krishna. 

How a devotee develops distaste for all lusty desires and enjoys spiritual bliss?

Sincere devotees of Lord never allow their senses to go astray. They carefully engage their senses in devotional activities of the Lord. So, they do not get enticed by any lusty desires.  Devotional services to the Lord are so satisfying and pleasing that the devotees lose all taste for all material desires.

Sri Yamunacarya, a great devotee of Lord, confidently says, “Since I have been engaged in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa, realizing ever-new pleasure in Him, whenever I think of sex pleasure I spit at the thought, and my lips curl with distaste.” Bhagavad Gita 5.21

A devotee remains engaged 24 hours in a day in the service of the Lord so that lusty thoughts and desires does not sneak in in his heart.  When the Supreme Lord Rama, the killer of the lusty emperor Ravana, sees a devotee’s sincere spiritual endeavor then with his divine arrow of love he flushes out all the desires for lust from the devotee’s hearts. The devotee then experiences everlasting transcendental pleasure which the Vedic scriptures talk about.

Video: Six glories of Hare Krishna Mahamantra

There are unlimited glories of Hare Krishna Mahamantra. If we want to grow in our spiritual life then we should chant this great mahamantra sincerely. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is none other than the Supreme Lord Krishna appeared in this world to teach lesser mortals like you and me to chant this mantra with utmost sincerity.

In Sri Siksastakam Verse 1, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has described the glories of this great mantra.

In this video, I discuss those glories of Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Once we understand the glories of this mantra, we will be inspired to chant it more and more.

Once one person asked Srila Prabhupada, “Swamijī? Are we to believe in that by chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa that we can attain a higher conscious level on this earth and attain self-realization without going through all the rigors of the old Vedas, scriptures?”

Prabhupada said: “Yes. This is the special concession for the conditioned soul of this age, that if you simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, then your heart will be purified. Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12). Then everything will be revealed. This is special concession.”  

Prabhupada travelled all over the world to spread the chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra.  Many westerners who did not know about Krishna and were indulging in sinful activities became pure just by chanting this mantra.  This mantra is extremely powerful especially in this age of Kali which is called the age of downfall.

Hare Krishna Mahamantra has transformed the lives of millions of people all over the world.  You and I also have the opportunity to change our life for good by chanting this mantra.  

Chanting will purify our hearts of all the impurities, free us from all the sinful reactions which is the cause of all the sufferings and will connect us to Krishna.  

Once we establish our relationship with Krishna, we will attain complete perfection in our life.

Read: Know the six glories of Hare Krishna Mahamantra