Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Prahlada: The rebellious son of a rebellious father

The best among the great demigods, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, were afraid to go near the Supreme Lord. Even Lakshmidevi, Lord’s own consort, was not ready to go near her own husband. This ferocious form of Lord was never seen before by anyone.  He had appeared from a pillar and had the form of half man and half lion and he came to be known as Narasimhadeva.

He had just ripped apart the demoniac body of the evil king, Hiranyakasipu, who had created mayhem in the universe. And was now sitting on the same majestic thrown on which once Hiranyakasipu sat and ruled the universe. 

His humongous body touched the sky. His angry eyes which resembled molten gold was looking in all the directions. His tongue sharp like a sword was moving in all directions looking to slay any miscreants. He had effortlessly killed thousands of faithful soldiers of Hiranyakasipu by his nails.

His hairs which extended in the sky scattered the clouds and forced them to run here and there. The celestial planes which were flying in the sky got thrown into the outer space and upper planetary system by the touch of his hairs. His breathing agitated the vast seas and the oceans. And because of his roaring the gigantic elephants in the world began crying.

Extremely angry he pulled out the intestine of Hiranyakasipu and wore it as a garland.

Even after killing all the demons his anger had not subsided. And all the learned personalities of the universe were not knowing what to do. At that moment, father of the universe, Lord Brahma approached five-year-old little Prahlada and asked him to go and pacify the Lord. 

Prahlada whose heart was inundated with the love of the Lord, who had fearlessly faced the might of Hiranyakasipu and he who had extraordinary faith in the mercy of the Lord humbly approached and bowed his head on the lotus feet of the Lord.

Just as a cub does not fear the lion similarly Prahlada was fearless in front of the half-man-half-lion God.

As soon as Narasimhadev saw his little devotee, his eyes which were burning with anger got flooded with compassion. He raised his blood-soaked hands which had killed innumerable demons to bless the little child. And now he wasn’t roaring in anger but had a peaceful smile on his face which brought great relief and joy to all.

The Lord discriminates none. He envies none. He is not partial to anyone. He is equal to all. But he himself says “but those who renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me and I am also a friend to him.” Bhagavad Gita 9.29.

And Lord Narasimhadev appeared in his never seen before form only to protect his devotee who in spite of facing unprecedented atrocities never gave up his devotion to the Lord.

Prahlada had unquestionable belief that the Lord whom the books of wisdom describe as Supreme will always be there to protect him, to shelter him in every situation and in every circumstance. Even if he is in the midst of a dense forest surrounded by ferocious animals who are salivating to rip apart his flesh to feast upon it the Lord will come for sure to save him. Even if he is in the middle of a turbulent ocean being tossed up and down by the gigantic waves the Lord will come there and extend his hand to rescue him. Even if all human beings of this mortal world turns against him, disbelieves him, try their best to dishonour him, try their best to give him unprecedented sufferings, employs all means to eliminate him but still the Lord who resides in the core of his heart will never abandon him, he will at each and every moment be there to save him, to protect him.

Prahlada’s faith wasn’t blind. He was a fortunate soul. In the womb of his mother, Kayadu, he heard sage Narada reciting the glories of the Lord. The spiritual sound transcending all material limitations penetrated his heart and washed away all material impurities which becomes the cause of forgetfulness of the Lord. 

So, when he came out of the womb of his mother, he did not see the world with material eyes but saw with purified eyes. He saw Lord everywhere. He experienced Lord everywhere.  He understood that the Lord is the cause of all causes.

The sun which never fails to rise in the morning gets its effulgence from the Lord.

The wind which never ever stops its journey gets all its ability from the Lord.

The flower which spreads its aroma far and wide gets the fragrance from the Lord.

The waves of the ocean rise up and goes down at the will of the Lord.

The living beings walk and talk, live and die only by the sanction of the Lord.

A spiritually awakened person experiences the Lord.

A student of the Vedas learns about the Lord.

Spiritually ignorant men and women fail to understand the Lord. And the demons despise the Lord.

Hiranyakasipu, the demon, hated the Lord. He rebelled against the Lord. He thought he is better than the Lord. He wanted to be worshipped like the Supreme Lord.

Prahlada, a spiritually awakened intelligent soul, refused to accept him the Supreme Lord. He rebelled against his own father, Hiranyakasipu. He did not fear him whom even the demigods feared. He did not fear even death because he saw the merciful Lord everywhere.

When little Prahlada was thrown from the top of the mountain, he saw the beautiful Lord who had extended his arms to embrace him.  When he was forced into the fire the huge flames became like the soothing rays of the moon. When he was forced to drink poison, the poison became nectar and nourished him. When the elephants tried to trample him by their gigantic legs then those legs became as soft as lotus petals giving him pleasure and not pain.

When the evil king did not learn his lessons and continued employing many means to kill his own son who was just five-year-old the furious Lord appeared from the pillar to slay the king.  Mere by his nails the Lord ripped apart the gigantic body of the mighty king and crushed the arrogance of all who rebelled against the Lord.

The devotees like Prahlada appears to teach us that Lord never abandon’s his devotee. He is the only shelter in this world. And we should have complete faith in him. In fact, to assure all the doubtful soul’s the Lord has declared boldly that “My devotee never perishes.” Bhagavad Gita 9.31.

We too can live fearlessly amidst any calamity if we practice devotion to the Lord like Prahlada and have complete faith in the words of the Lord like Prahlada.

Iskcon Communication Ministry’s guidelines for speaking during COVID – 19 pandemic

COVID – 19 pandemic has killed thousands of people all over the world. It has brought a global crisis. Iskcon devotees too are suffering and unfortunately some have even lost their lives because of the pandemic.

Devotees do not want people to suffer. So, in Iskcon, devotees are trying their best to serve people of the entire world.

• At several Iskcon temples and Iskcon centres devotees are working hard to prepare food packets and are distributing it to the needy people.

As of now Iskcon in India is preparing meal for more than 5 lakh people daily.

• Iskcon devotees all over the world who are doctors, nurses and healthcare experts are working day and night to treat the patients. They are risking their lives and are serving wholeheartedly.
• Devotees are chanting extra rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra so that it creates auspiciousness in the whole world and end the pandemic.
• Iskcon Chowpatty has organized 1 crore japa yajna campaign where devotees from all over the world come in a conference call and chant and pray together for the people of the whole world.
• Some devotees have also taken the onus of helping elderly people who are extremely vulnerable during this time.
• Some devotees as per their capacity are trying their best to help people from humble background who are suffering because of no job.

But along with these commendable services, it is also important that devotees during their conversation with others or during classes (which are mostly happening online these days) speak in such a way that it should be soothing to the hearts.

Anuttama Dasa, GBC Member,  Minister of Communications, have advised that devotees should not speak anything which may appear insensitive and which tries to belittle the suffering of the people.

Sometimes neophyte devotees because of immaturity or lack of complete understanding of Krishna conscious philosophy may utter certain words which may appear insensitive. Mature devotees should guide them and make them understand that a devotee is always compassionate to others suffering.

Scriptures are filled with the stories of devotees who exhibited extraordinary compassion towards all.

Vāsudeva Datta had so much compassion for all the living beings of the world that with tears in his eyes he prayed to Lord Chaitanya, “Let me suffer for the sinful activities of all the people of the whole world. Let all their sins, all their karma fall upon me. Let me go to hell and suffer on their behalf. But please free them from all the sufferings. Please shower your mercy upon them. Please show your compassion to them.”

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was so moved hearing the prayers of Vāsudeva Datta that his eyes were filled with tears of love and he embraced him.

Mahārāja Rantideva whose glories are sung in Srimad Bhagavatam says, “I want only to stay among all the living entities and suffer all distresses on their behalf, so that they may be freed from suffering.” SB 9.21.12

Srila Prabhupada took all the pains to preach Krishna consciousness because he wanted to save entire humanity from degrading to hellish life.

The communication ministry quotes a lecture of Srila Prabhupada where he is speaking how a devotee should have feeling for others’ distress.

Vaishnava is always feeling for others’ distress. That is Vaishnava. Vaishnava—para dukha dukhi. They’re very much afflicted with others’, I mean to say, miserable life. Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he presented himself as very much afflicted with others’ miserable condition of life. So all the Vaishnavas, devotees—It doesn’t matter which country he belongs to or which sect he belongs to. Anyone who is God-conscious or Krishna conscious. . . para dukha dukhi.  Lecture July 21, 1971 New York

Whole world is in great distress.

Thousands of people have already died. Thousands of people are dying daily. Lakhs of people are in hospitals or are quarantined. Millions of people are suffering financially. The situation is so bad that family members of those who are dying because of Coronavirus are not even able to see their dead bodies. For fear of spreading the infection, the government authorities cremate the dead bodies and just inform the family members.

During this global crisis devotees should exhibit complete maturity and show compassion to all through their words and actions.

Iskcon Communication Ministry has issued following guidelines to the leaders while speaking about the pandemic, but it is applicable to all the devotees:  

• Express first your heartfelt concern and prayers for those who are suffering.
• Advise all to strictly follow government guidelines/restrictions that promote public safety. 
• Avoid statements that may be interpreted as callous, or lacking empathy for others’ suffering.  
• While our tradition teaches that karma impacts our happiness and suffering, teach and highlight for devotees that a more essential principle for followers of Lord Chaitanya and Srila Prabhupada is karuna, compassion and mercy for others. This should guide all we do and say. 

Watch the movie ‘HARE KRISHNA!’ For Free (for limited time only)

If you want to know how a man single-handedly established a worldwide spiritual movement then do watch the movie –

                     HARE KRISHNA!
The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all

This movie can be watched for free for 3 days starting Friday, April 10.  The movie can be watched on YouTube and Vimeo with subtitles in 19 languages which also includes Hindi.

When to watch:

*From Friday, April 10th at 12pm (EST-USA) i.e. 9:30 pm IST

to Monday, April 13th at 12pm (EST-USA) i.e. 9:30 pm IST

Where to watch:

YouTube:  https://youtu.be/zMfsz9hJz18    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMfsz9hJz18&feature=youtu.be

Vimeo:  https://vimeo.com/284017187

Yadubara das/John Griesser who is the Producer and Director of the movie says, “We decided at the last minute to have a 3-day *free* viewing of HARE KRISHNA! starting this Friday, April 10…we wanted to take advantage of the Easter holidays and get it out quickly because of the urgent world crisis.”

The movie has won accolades all over the world.

• It has been released theatrically in 38 countries.
• It has got the Best Picture award in Illuminate Film Festival.
• It has the audience rating of 9.6/10 on IMDb.com and 4.9/5 on Amazon.com
• In its review comment, Red Carpet Crash, wrote, “…an uplifting spiritual experience, regardless of one’s personal beliefs or religion”
• The Washington Post called it,” …a stirring story!”
•  The Times of India, gave it a rating of 3/5.

The movie is of 90 minutes.

It shows how Srila Prabhupada who was born in Kolkata, India, when India was under the British Regime led a worldwide Krishna conscious movement.

When Srila Prabhupada boarded the cargo ship, Jaladuta, in Kolkata to go to America he was almost 70 years old.  The ship’s owner Smt. Sumati Morarji said, “You are old man. You are just going to die there.”

He had no money, no proper winter cloth for American winter, no proper place to stay and he did not even know if he will be able to manage food there. Almost everyone advised him not to go.

But Prabhupada was on a mission. He was not thinking about himself but was thinking

• How to bring the people of the world closer to Lord Krishna.
• How to spread the teaching of Lord Chaitanya which will bring peace and happiness in the lives of people.

So, he went. And in few years, he conquered the hearts of millions of people all over the world by his love and compassion and inspired them to practice devotion to Krishna.

The movie brilliantly depicts the challenges, the hardships which Srila Prabhupada faced in his life’s most important mission.

• How he handled the failures?
• How he cried in front of Krishna to help him bring people to his lotus feet?
• How he suffered but never gave up?
• How he survived death?
• And how he handled worldwide success?

The movie shows how young American boys and girls started getting attracted to his teachings and how they dedicated their lives in helping Prabhupada establish ISKCON, International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Today in the virtual world we have unlimited option to watch movies which most of the time do not depict the reality of the world. Filled with music and dance commercial movies just try to entertain us. It does not transform us.

This movie is different.

This movie is for those

• Who want to do something meaningful in their life?
• Who want to know how a leader is born?
• Who want to understand the attributes of a great leader?
• Who want to know how spirituality brings ultimate happiness in our life?

Deadly coronavirus has brought unprecedented crisis in our lives.  To protect ourselves from COVID – 19, we all are now locked inside our houses.

We can utilize this time to reshape our future.

A small inspiration can change the course of our life. It can help us realize our true potential. The movie has the capability to do so.

Do Watch!

How Lord Krishna is saving his devotees from COVID – 19?

The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting people all over the world including the devotees of ISKCON.

In UK many Iskcon devotees have got infected with Coronavirus and some have even passed away.

So, a natural question may come in the minds of the devotees, “Why is Krishna not saving his devotees from COVID – 19?”

To find answer to this question we need to dig deep into philosophy of Krishna consciousness.

Scriptures tell that all the living entity in this world suffer from four-fold miseries of birth, old age disease and death.

Just like a person who is not a devotee of Krishna grows old, get affected by disease and eventually die similarly a devotee of Krishna also grows old, may get affected by disease and will one day have to leave his body.

When Arjuna at the battlefield of Kurushetra got bewildered then the first lesson which Krishna taught to Arjuna was about the nature of the soul. Krishna explained that our body is temporary, and the soul is eternal.

Just like a person gives up its old and torn clothes similarly the soul gives up old and invalid bodies.

This world is temporary. None of us are going to live here forever.

An intelligent man should not get bewildered seeing death in this world.

With this understanding a devotee practices devotion to Krishna sincerely and as long as he lives in this world he lives as per the guidelines of the scriptures. And scriptures say that when we are living in this world then we should follow the laws of the material world.

Devotees do have to follow the material law

Srila Prabhupada in his book, Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers (PQPA) explains, that “As long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws.”

Even the Supreme Lord Krishna who is the creator and controller of this material world and who is above all the material laws and even spiritual laws follows the laws of this world to teach us that we should also respect the material laws.  

• If a devotes goes out in the rain, then just because he is a devotee does not mean that he will not get wet.
• If a devotee jumps from a high-rise building, then he will also break his bones.
• Similarly, during this COVID – 19 crisis if devotees do not take precaution then he will surely get affected.

It is true that if Krishna wants, he can intervene and protect a devotee from COVID – 19. And in many cases, he might be protecting the devotees, its just that we do not know about it.

Lord Narasimhadev saves a little girl

One small girl with his father had gone to the farmland. The father got busy with his work and the little girl ran away from there and came on the road. When the father started looking for her, he saw her on the middle of the road. At that very moment a big truck was coming and the girl who was so small to understand the situation did not know what to do.

It was a highway. The truck was in full speed. The father was helpless. He prepared himself for the eventuality. He closed his eyes. How could he see his daughter being crushed by the truck?

He frantically started praying to Lord Narasimhadev.

He was shivering. After a few moments, he opened his eyes. He was so fearful. He was in great distress, deep agony.

But to his surprise he saw the little girl on the other side of the road. She was safe. He could not control his tears.

He ran to embrace her. He lifted her up and asked her what had happened to her? How did she come to the other side of the road?  The girl said one person who looked like a lion, had big teeth and long hair came and lifted her and put her beside the road. The girl could recognize lion because she had seen the picture of a lion in her schoolbook. 

The father was surprised but not convinced. Then he saw her shoulders. There were some marks. He immediately went to a doctor. The doctor was surprised, he said that this mark is not of any human being but is of a lion. Now the father understood that it was Lord Narasimhadev who came to save her daughter.

There are many such incidents which happen in devotees’ life.  When Krishna wants to protect devotes then Krishna surely protects.

But the way Krishna protects a devotee may be different.

Passing away of devotee is also glorious   

Even if a devotee meets with death then his death is also glorious. Srimad Bhagavatam narrates the passing away of great devotee of the Lord like Bhisma Dev, Parikshit Maharaj and Dhruv Maharaj. Their passing away from this mortal world was glorious and after leaving this world they went back home back to godhead. Even today there are many instances when devotees have left their body in a glorious way.

Lord Chaitanya comes for his devotee at his last moment

Once one devotee was on his death bed. He was in Mayapur. He was not from India. Srila Prabhupada had given him the service of distributing his books and had said that if you distribute these books then Lord Chaitanya will personally come to deliver you.

Now when he was sick then his desire was to come to India and leave his body in India. So, he was brought to Mayapur. During his last days, he was completely bed ridden.

For several weeks he was not able to get up from his bed. One day the doctor said that he may pass away at any moment.

So, all the devotees came together, they began doing kirtan in the room where the devotee was lying bed ridden. One devotee placed saligram sila in one of his hands.

When the kirtan was going on, the devotee who was bed ridden for several weeks and could not even move slightly, got up and looked towards the door and said Lord Chaitanya is here, he has come to take me back.

After saying these few words, he again lied down on the bed. And immediately left his body. Even the saligram sila which he was holding in one of his hands had also disappeared.

My husband’s life is successful

Once one devotee was on his death bed in Mayapur and his wife was holding a picture of Krishna and showing him. While seeing the picture of the Supreme Lord the person left his body. The wife with tears in his eyes said, “My husband’s life is now successful.”

Chanting at the last moment

In Bhaktivedanta hospital, Mumbai, doctors tell about many heart touching stories of the patients who leave their body and how Krishna at the last moment bestows his mercy upon them. I still remember one picture of a husband and wife which I saw there.  That picture was taken moments before the person’s death. The doctors at the hospital informed his family members that the person has only few minutes to live. Now what could have been done. So, the wife took beads in her hand and was helping her husband to chant the name of Krishna.  And the man who had just few minutes left, left his body chanting the names of Krishna.

Miseries will come. Death will come. But devotion to Krishna gives us solution by which we can free ourselves from this four-fold miseries of birth, old age, disease and death forever.

When we chant the holy names of Krishna and read literatures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam then it cleanses our hearts of all the impurities of lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion and false ego.  Once our hearts start getting purified the knowledge of the scriptures start getting revealed in our hearts. And in that state, we start understanding the true nature of this material world, we start understanding that this world can never give us any joy, we start experiencing Krishna in our hearts which fills our hearts with unlimited bliss.

And while living in this world even if some suffering comes, a pure devotee is not bewildered because he knows that in this world suffering is inevitable and Krishna is always there to protect.

In the Light of the Bhāgavata, Text Twelve, Srila Prabhupada writes, “Even though a person takes to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, he may sometimes become diseased, impoverished, or disappointed by life’s events. A true devotee of the Lord always considers these sufferings to be due to past sinful activities, and thus without becoming disturbed he patiently awaits the mercy of the Supreme Lord. Such devotees are compared to high mountains, which are never agitated in any way, even when struck by powerful torrents of rain in the rainy season. Rather, such devotees remain humble in spiritual enlightenment. Free from pride and envy, they easily gain the mercy of the Lord and go back home, back to Godhead.”

Lord Krishna is protecting his devotees from deadly COVID – 19 by giving him/her a proper understanding that in this world suffering is inevitable and he also gives us a process by which we can free ourselves from all the miseries and live happily forever by returning back to the spiritual world where there is no disease, no epidemic, no pandemic, no calamity, no death,

Knowing the nature of this world, a devotee continues practicing devotion to Krishna in all situations and circumstances. So even if a devotee may be physically ill, he is not much disturbed by it. He remains always blissful by chanting Krishna’s holy names and by engaging himself in the service of Krishna.

In the present day we can learn a great lesson from the life of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj. From material point of view, he is physically not well, he has undergone many operations but with extraordinary enthusiasm he is not just practicing devotional life but is inspiring thousands of devotees all over the world to practice devotional life.

So those who are practicing devotional life live happily as long as they live in this world, and he gets so purified that he starts understanding that death is not the end of everything. He understands that as a soul he is eternal and never going to die. He even understands that his practice of devotional life will even liberate his family members. So, in a sense a devotee knows that if he becomes pure and his family members are also devotee of Krishna then they all will remain united in the kingdom of Krishna.

And even if the devotee has not completely perfected his life then in next life, he takes birth in the family of a pure devotee where he has great opportunity to practice devotional life. As Krishna explains in Bhagavad Gita 2.40, in practicing devotional life there is no loss.

We need to remember that as long as we are in this material world suffering is inevitable. So suffering may come in the form of COVID – 19 or some other calamity but if we take shelter of Krishna with proper understanding then we will be able to fearlessly face all the difficulties in life.

Once we establish Krishna in our hearts, we will remain happy in this world and after leaving this world we will reunite with Krishna and live blissfully in the kingdom of Krishna.

Related Articles

How spirituality can help fight Coronavirus effectively?

COVID – 19: Collective 1 Crore Japa Yajna Campaign

COVID-19: Sourav Ganguly lauds Iskcon’s efforts to serve the society

5 ISKCON devotees die of Covid – 19 in UK

5 ISKCON devotees die of Covid – 19 in UK

Iskcon devotees in UK have been badly affected by Coronavirus. As of now there are twenty-one confirmed cases and five devotees have died.

In this tragic situation when the whole world should unite to fight the pandemic some people with vested interest are trying to blame ISKCON UK devotees for the spread of Covid – 19 in UK. This is totally fake.

'ISKCON temple as a source of Coronavirus in UK' –
Andh Bhakti, blind faith is the source of all problems not TJ or ISKCON. https://t.co/tx9ahN3LUq

— shahid siddiqui (@shahid_siddiqui) April 7, 2020

But the facts are totally different.  

ISKCON devotees in UK and worldwide have always believed in following the law of the land and they work hard to create peace and harmony in the society.

• When Iskcon held its program in UK at that time the government of UK had not declared any lockdown or had not issued any directive to close the religious places.

• UK GBC Praghosa Prabhu said that ISKCON UK closed all its temples in UK on March 16th, a week before lockdown was declared by UK government

• Even before the lockdown was announced in UK, all the temples were following the guidelines given by the government and devotees were taking all the precautionary measures like washing hands with soaps, using sanitizers etc.

• None of the devotees who were infected tried to hide their disease.

• None of the devotees hid in the temples or took shelter in the houses of Iskcon congregation members.

• None of them deliberately tried to spread the disease.

• The devotees who got infected immediately contacted the doctors, quarantined themselves and followed all the guidelines.

• All the devotees of Iskcon UK have tried their best to cooperate with the government agencies.

• In UK, the total number of confirmed cases are 51,608 and number of Iskcon devotees affected is 21. So only 0.04% of the affected people in UK are from Iskcon.

• In UK, the total number of deaths due to Coronavirus is 5373, and the number of Iskcon devotees who have passed away is 5.  So only 0.095% people who have died because of Coronavirus in UK are from Iskcon.

• Now contrast this with the action of Tablighi Jamaat. Many of their members had violated their visas and were illegally staying in India.  And many of them have hid themselves in different parts of the country risking their own lives, lives of their family members and lives of others too.

Those who are supporting them do not know that in fact they are doing a great harm to the entire humanity and even to the Muslim community because if the affected members are not quarantined then thousands more will have to suffer.

Moreover, Iskcon in India and all over the world is trying their best to serve the society to fight Coronavirus. Many devotees who are doctors and nurses are spending days and nights to serve the Coronavirus affected patients.

Iskcon monks are putting their efforts to serve the society by cooking food by themselves and trying to distribute it free of cost to the needy people.

Any sane man will appreciate the efforts of the devotees of Iskcon in this difficult time.

ISKCON monks at ISKCON Kolkata Packaging food to be distributed amongst needy people during Corona Lockdown. Pan India ISKCON is serving free meal to over 5 lacs people daily as of now. They are scaling it up every day. #Coronafighters #CoronavirusLockdown #CoronaWarriors pic.twitter.com/Ab7cN0lkSZ

— Purushottam Nitai Das (@Discoverursupe1) April 7, 2020

Related Articles:

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• How spirituality can help fight Coronavirus effectively?

• Collective 1 Crore Japa Yajna Campaign

COVID-19: Sourav Ganguly lauds Iskcon’s efforts to serve the society

BCCI President and former captain of Indian Cricket team Sourav Ganguly thanked Iskcon for feeding the needy people during this Coronavirus crisis.

All over India Iskcon is arranging food for around four lakh people daily.

In Kolkata too Iskcon has been distributing food packets to thousands of people daily.

After Sourav Ganguly’s contribution Iskcon Kolkata will be able to feed 10,000 more people.

A team of Iskcon Kolkata devotees at Iskcon House in Gurusaday is putting their best efforts to prepare the sanctified vegetarian food for thousands of people.

The devotees while working are taking all precautions like wearing masks, wearing gloves, using sanitizers and soaps.

Anant Bhagavan Prabhu who is with the team of devotees at Iskcon Gurusaday said that we were able to feed 10,000 people daily in Kolkata but after Sourav Ganguly’s contribution we would be able to serve 10,000 more people i.e. total we will be able to prepare food for 20,000 needy people in Kolkata.

Scriptures tell that one of the qualities of a devotee is that he is para–dukha–dukhi i.e. when he sees other people suffering then he too feels pain and he tries to help that person.  So currently because of the pandemic when the country is under lockdown the devotees are not thinking much about themselves but are more concerned how best they can serve the people.

Sourav Ganuguly not just donated the amount so that thousands of more people can be served but he also visited the Iskcon centre to thank all the devotees.

HG Radharaman Prabhu who is the spokesperson and vice-president of ISKCON, Kolkata centre thanked Sourav Ganguly for the support. He said that under the captaincy of Dada the monks of Iskcon will be able to fight the battle of hunger confidently during this Coronavirus pandemic.

Thank u ISKCON .. keep serving the society https://t.co/alXyabQVcR

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) April 4, 2020

Thousands participate in Jayapataka Swami Maharaj’s 71st Vyasapuja Celebration in Mayapur

Although India is under lockdown, nobody can come out of their houses but still devotees and especially disciples of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja celebrated his vyasapuja on 4^th April 2020 i.e. on the day of Kamada Ekadashi. Maharaj was in Mayapur and very few devotees were there with Maharaj. Those devotees who were with Maharaj were wearing facemask and hand gloves as preventive measure and were keeping safe distance from each other.

And thousands of devotees from all over the world who were not able to be with Maharaj were celebrating the vyas puja through Mayapur TV and through facebook live.

Maharaj’s godbrothers, senior sannyasis and many devotees gave their offerings to Maharaj.

Offering given by Maharaj’s godbrothers, senior sannyasis and various leaders of Iskcon clearly reflected how much love devotees all over the world have for Maharaj.

The offerings of prominent leaders of Iskcon is given below.

Offering of HH Loknath Swami Maharaj:

Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaja Vyas Puja is being celebrated in Mayapur today which is Kamada Ekadashi. This year it is in small scale. It used to be large every year. But because of coronavirus only few devotees are there. Of course, his disciples and devotees from all over the world are celebrating in their house and temples. He has around 30K – 40K disciples. I am encouraging you all to celebrate Vyasapuja. Vyasapuja ki jai!

Like Maharaj, my birthday and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj’s birthday is also on Ekadashi.

He was born in 1949.  He is few months elder to me. But from knowledge perspective he is very elder. He joined Iskcon around 1968. I joined in 1971.He joined in Canada.

One famous thing about him I remember, when he was a new devotee, he had got initiated, he was always doing kirtan very loudly and always chanting Hare Krishna loudly. He used to loudly take name of Krishna in ashram, in the temple and even outside.  He would forget that he is on the road. Outside too he would loudly sing or chant Hare Krishna. People got disturbed. Some went to complain to the police that a person is causing nuisance. He is disturbing our peace.

When Srila Prabhupada came to know about Jaypataka Swami Maharaj, then Srila Prabhupada said we will send him to India, to Mayapur. He can shout as much as he wants name of Krishna in Mayapur, no one will be disturbed in Mayapur by his loud chant. At that time, he was not swami.

He was one of the senior-most sanyasi disciples of Srila Prabhupada. He was one of the first disciples of Srila Prabhupada to be sent to Mayapur. He got the responsibility of Mayapur, of Kolkata. He became GBC. Once in India only HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami was the only GBC from India.

Srila Prabhupada gave him the responsibility of developing Mayapur and TOVP. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja ki jai. I love him. When we were younger, sometimes there was love and hate. But now I not only like him but love him. I pray that my brotherly love keeps increasing. My love for Maharaj grows daily.

Today Jayapataka Swami Maharaj has become a miracle. We see his bodily condition; he had many operations. But in this state also he is busy, he keeps thinking about preaching, attends all meeting which we miss sometimes. But he is so dutiful. It is a miracle. He is a miracle. Where miracle there is surrender. My prayers to him. Vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca kripa-sindhubhya eva c ..

HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj was touched by the offering of HH Loknath Swami Maharaj and said that “I also love him.”

Offering of HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj:

My dear godbrother Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, on this auspicious day of your appearance, I was remembering all the wonderful memories. You were my leader in Mayapur. You are an example of dedication and devotion. For Srila Prabhupada you sacrificed everything. You sacrificed your wealthy parents, wealthy nation and took a life of austerity in remote village of Mayapur.

To feed all of us you used to go out to collect funds. I saw you beg, scream, fight to get money from persons who were responsible to give money to feed us in the temple. You did all for our sake. I had wonderful experience of going with you to different places in Bengal to distribute books, make life members. During those trips in the evening classes hundreds of people came and you used to give class in Bengali.  We were happy. You were there to lead us. Those were happy days. Please accept my obeisances at your lotus feet and bless me. Your eternally indebted servant Bhakti Charu Swami.

Offering of HH Bhakti Nityananda Swami Maharaj, disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj

Today is your appearance day. I remember how you saved me in the very first meeting which I had with you. I came to take my younger brother Mukunda to home from temple. I told him its nonsense, you are not doing anything for parents and society but simply wasting time. You have shaved your head. But devotees are intelligent. My brother told that I will go home but now its evening, so there is no bus, no train to go home. You should meet my gurudev. I said I will not meet your gurudev.

He knows black magic that is why so many educated people have surrendered. He had given me Rs 101 so that I should donate when I meet a vaisnav. I was not convinced. However, I met him. He has big build up and he was wearing a garland. I thought he knows some magic, maybe black magic.

He said welcome welcome brother of Mukunda. You had prasadam? By birth I am Bengali, but he was speaking Bengali so nicely. He again asked, “You had prasad?” I was there for 2 hours, had no prasad. He phoned somebody. And one devotee brought big rasgulla. I was very hungry. I took. He kept speaking so nicely. He said you stay here, why you want to go back. I thought this man is trying to catch me. I immediately wanted to run away. 

He said see there are free rooms, free prasadam, free cloth. Then he again told me to stay back. I said no. He said stay for at least one month. I said not even for one hour I will stay. He said stay for 15 days. I said not even for one hour I will stay. He again said stay for 7 days. I thought this man is so stubborn. But he was speaking so nicely. Again, I said no. He said at least for 3 days. His speaking hit me. He said to me situation was so bad, Bengal’s economic condition was so bad.

I was graduate. I was trying to make money. I became sentimental. He further said that everything coming from Radha Madhav but educated puffed up people are catching the feet of marwaris for Rs 500 – Rs 600 but they do not bow to Sri Sri Radha Madhav. I did not have that much problem, but I was searching for money. But those words I can never forget in my life. You are the only hope. You gave me so much mercy by shouting, correcting me guru maharaj. You are my only hope. Please save me. Please save me.

Offering of HH Gouranga Prem Swami Maharaj

On this day he appeared in this world. He follows all orders of Srila Prabhupada. He always looks for conclusion in vaisnvas siddhanta. Srila Prabhupada said to him that I have given you the kingdom of God develop it. He is trying to develop Gaur Mandal bhumi. He is trying to rescue all places of Lord Chaitanya, Lord Chaitnaya’s associates and where the Lord performed his pastimes.

In 1979 he started namhatta. He started Navadwip Manadala parikrama. He is trying to take land so that future generations can do parikrama and have place to stay during parikrama. He is constantly thinking of developing the dham. This is how he is serving all and we the disciples should serve him in his mission.

Offering of HG Jannanivas Prabhu

He is my beloved godbrother. He is attentive to satisfy everyone. Once there was flood in Mayapur. Situation was very critical. That time he was in Kolkata. He arranged some boats to come to Mayapur. In lotus building water was rising, there was constant rain, storm.

We were in that situation and he arrived with boats which was full of rice, sabzi (vegetables), dal (lentils). In that tense situation he was standing on the boat and was loudly chanting Jai Gauranga, Jai Prabhupada. He said let us go prepare food and we will go village to village to distribute food. That fearful situation became joyful situation because of him.

I was thinking that because of Coronavirus similar situation has come up now. He is again organizing devotees to chant 3 times a day so that holy name is chanted all over the world. In this bodily situation how he continues his activity I cannot understand? I offer my humble obeisances to him.

Offering of HG Pankajanghri Prabhu

Just by you being here we feel safe and peaceful. When we are in any dilemma, when there is management issue, any concern, any disagreement, then we know that at the end of the day when the situation will be presented to you, you will give the answer and the problem will be resolved.

Everyone feels safe by your presence. You resolve any philosophical doubt. You give your able guidance to the deity department. I pray that you stay here for many years. Krishna please bless HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj so that he is always with us. Thank you, Maharaj, for everything.

Offering of HG Nitai Sevani Mataji

One sadhu was living with his disciples on a mountain. All his disciples were following instructions except one. The disciples complained to the guru that this particular disciple is  not following the instruction. He is mixing with village people and eating anything. Guru asked then what should we do. The disciples said you banish him. Guru asked, “Why?”

Because he is bringing bad name to the ashram. Guru asked them, “Do you follow everything and not transgressing the principles.” The disciples said yes. Guru said, “Since you all are perfected, you do not need me. So, you all should leave me. But he needs me as still he has difficulties.”

Guru makes you complete. At times you think he is going to punish his erring disciples, but he is the first to help the disciples. In my personal life for last 21 years me and my husband have been serving here (in Vizag). Whenever I used to hear that you are coming, I used to be tense. Is everything ok? Whether his room is good? Will people turn up?

But after few years I realized that guru is not coming to give me marks, to give me report card. He is coming to help, to protect my spiritual life. He is not giving grade. He is with me. He is like my father, my guide, my ever well-wisher. Guru is not judging you. He wants to help you to be better every day.

I beg you to keep us in your prayers and bless me and my husband.

Offering of Sri Vallabh Prabhu (leader of middle east)

This year because of lockdown we are not able to come to Mayapur, but we all are participating from every nook and corner of the world from our houses.

We now see importance of Bhakti Vriksha Shradha kutir. How you have reached out everywhere. Even in such circumstances where people are under lockdown through Bhakti Vriksha and Shradha Kutir they are practicing. Your service is something of pride to Iskcon world over. You have reached to all – rich and poor. You have even reached to less visited places in the world. Srila Prabhupada will be very satisfied. Guru Maharaj in spite of all difficulties you have continued to work for Iskcon, for TOVP.

We have great responsibility to serve you. We pledge to serve you in your multifaceted responsibility. This year is your 50^th year of sannyas. This is a glory to Iskcon. This year on Radhastami we will celebrate 50^th anniversary of your taking sannyas.

We pray to you for strength so that we can serve you.

Offering of HH Bhakti Advaita Nabadwip Swami Maharaj (from Bangladesh)

Please accept our respectful obeisances. This is your 71^st vyas puja. This year is also golden jubilee celebration of your sannyas. Because of coronavirus whole world is under lockdown. We are sitting here in Sylhet, Bangaladesh and are celebrating your vyas puja. Srila Prabhupada asked you to distribute books, develop dham and you fulfilled his desires.

Please include this lowly servant in your service. We are afraid that we may not fulfill your mission. You gave service of Radha Madhav to us at Sylhet. We have now the deities of Radha Madhav. You will be installing the deity of Radha Madhav here. Just by hearing this that you will install the deity, the citizens of Sylhet are in great jubilation.

By seeing you everyone will be joyful. Poison of corona has disturbed all. Please bless so that the people of world will be saved. In 1995, 21^st April, you accepted service of Radha Madhava. You had declared that there will be school, there will be hostel. Now school is there, hostel is there. Citizens are waiting for you to come. You had said that here mini Mayapur will be established. We are eagerly waiting for you here.

Bhagavad Gita Distribution Report

HG Venudhari prabhu who has been serving Maharaj gave the Bhagavad Gita (BG) Distribution report from all over the world.

Number of Bhagavad Gita (BG) sponsorship from different countries: Burma: 71, Canada : 108, New Zealand: 71, Russia: 113, Malaysia: 133, Sri Lanka: 142,Saraja: 142,USA: 546,Bahrain: 624, Abu Dhabi: 831,China: 989,Dubai: 1071,Singapore: 1001,UK: 1278,Saudi Arabia: 1661 ,Europe: 2098,Kuwait: 2389,Bangladesh: 2765 ,Oman: 5014,Qatar: 5482,India: 11,448

Total: 38,186 Bhagavad Gita (BG) Books have been sponsored till now.

As this is the 50^th year of Maharaj taking sannyas so the target is to have 50,000 BG sponsorship by Radhastami.

HG Venudhari Prabhu is supposed to take sannyas on the auspicious day of the vyas puja of his spiritual master, HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj.  

Share the pictures of vyas puja celebration at your homes or temples

HH Bhakti Purusottama Mahraj gave a proposal: Since thousands of devotees are celebrating vyas puja at their home, they have decorated their altar in a beautiful way.  So, if anyone desire, they can send the photo of the celebration at their homes and these photos will be shown to guru maharaj. The photos can be sent on the following whatsapp number:

+919434506434: Whatsapp number of Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj

+919944018001: Syam Rasik prabhu Whatsapp number

+917305015701: HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja media foundation

Or at 9647200346

HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja vyas puja class

Lord Chaitanya said all over the world my name will be chanted. Srila Prabhupada has established center in every country of the world. Now is the opportunity to help people chant names of God. By chanting Hare Krishna kalmash of Kaliyuga will be destroyed. But if someone wants to chant other names of god Srila Prabhupada said alright.

Anyway, our Srila Prabhupada has given us seva to Lord Krishna. It is something very confidential. Even the priest, even the pundits nobody knows about this concept of serving the Lord. They just pray to god to get some peace or material happiness. They do not know how the love of Godhead and the service of godhead is the real happiness we are searching for. I hope all the devotees participating in vyas puja take this very seriously to develop Krishna Consciousness.

Lochana Das Thakura said that Lord Chaitanya is the crown jewel of all the incarnations of godhead. He has given a process which is simply blissful. We hope all the devotee will taste this bliss.

Seva padma devi dasi from Syam Desh or Balaram Desh said that Vrajvasis were also locked down under Govardhan hill for 7 days. But they did not feel that time was distressful because Krishna was there. We want all the disciples to be with Krishna all the time. Thank you all very much. Hare Krishna.

I am sorry we cannot give you a big feast today.

Washing of lotus feet, puspanjali and arati of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj

Bhakti Nityananda Maharaj and Sripad Venudhari prabhu washed the lotus feet of HH Jaypataka Swami Maharaj.

During that time devotees sang the song – Sri Guru charan Padma.

After that Maharaj’s pranam mantra was chanted three times

“Nama Om Vishnu padaya Krsna presthaya bhutale
Srimate Jayapataka swamin iti namine,
Nama Acharya padaya Nitai kripa pradayine
Gaura katha dhama daya nagara grama tarine”

And devotees from all over the world in their mind offered flowers at the lotus feet of Maharaj three times.

After that arati of Maharaj was performed and devotees who were fortunate to be with Maharaj and also thousands of devotees virtual attending the vyas puja celebration sang – saḿsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka- trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam …

COVID – 19: Collective 1 Crore Japa Yajna Campaign

In this difficult time when scores of people are dying daily because of Coronavirus all over the world, Iskcon Chowpatty has come up with a novel idea of fighting this disease by invoking the mercy of the Lord.

To invoke auspiciousness saints and sages have always recommended that we should perform yajna.  And in this age of Kali Yuga scriptures recommend sankirtan yajna i.e. congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

The more we chant the names of the Lord, we create more auspiciousness.

Almost everyone agree that we are suffering from this pandemic because we the human beings have acted against the laws of nature. Our current suffering is because of the sins committed by mankind against other living entities.

And the best way to remove the sins from the world is by chanting the names of the Lord. If people from all over the world come together to call the names of the Lord, then soon the suffering caused by Coronavirus will end.

Iskcon Chowpatty is inviting everyone to participate in this japa yajna. The goal is to chant 1 crore Holy Names of the Lord from April 1st – April 15th.

One has to just invest 15 min daily in this campaign from 7:30 am – 7:45 am IST. The entire country is under lockdown. All educational institutions are closed, offices are closed. If people are working, then they are working only from their homes so taking out 15 minutes daily is not a very difficult thing to do.

It takes around 7 minutes to complete one round of chanting which consists of 108 beads. So in 15 minutes one can complete two rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra on the beads.

15 minutes is not mandatory. One can spend even 10 min or even 5 min for chanting.

The collective japa – yajna will start everyday from 7:30 am – 7:45 am IST or (GMT + 5.30).

Not just people from India but people from all over the world can participate in this yajna.

Japa Yajna Date and time

• Begins from 1st Arpil 2020 – 15th April 2020

• Time: 7:30 am – 7:45 am IST or (GMT + 5.30).

How to participate in the japa – yajna?

Step 1:

Android user: Download the app from google playstore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freeconferencecall.fccmeetingclient

iPhone users: Download the app from the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-conference-call/id1076834814?mt=8

Or else one can also join by calling the below number directly from the cell phone:

Dial-in number (IN): 0172 510 0948
Access code: 765009#

Online meeting ID: iskconchowpatty

Visit: https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/iskconchowpatty for more details about dial in number. In the link one can find the International dial-in numbersto connect to conference japa.

Step 2:

After the app is installed no need to signup.

Step 3:

Click on the link to join the online meeting: http://bit.ly/japayajna*

Step 4:

Select the tab to ‘call in’ using wifi or data. Enter your name

Step 5:

Click on ‘Lets go tab’ and begin your chant.

Chant with people from all over India and all over the world.

Step 6:

After completing the chanting submit your count at
Http://bit.ly/japacount

Everyone can participate in this japa – yagna. Men, women, children, Indians, non-Indians, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jews, Parsis everyone can participate to purify the world and to make it a better place for everyone to live.

How spirituality can help fight Coronavirus effectively?

1.3 billion Indians are observing Janata Curfew on 22nd March, to fight Covid-19. Billions of people in different parts of the world are already under lockdown.  Schools are closed, colleges are closed, offices are closed, malls and theatres are closed, flights have been canceled, trains and buses have stopped running. There is an undeclared curfew in almost all the parts of the world.

Coronavirus, the tiny little virus, which cannot be seen with our eyes have brought the whole world to a standstill.

Scientists are working to find a cure for the deadly disease and hopefully, they will succeed.

The virus is spreading because of human to human transmission and as of now there is no cure, so billions of people find themselves vulnerable.  Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said in his nationwide address that this is more dangerous than World War 1 and World War 2.

As we are now locked down inside our houses it is the best time to ask ourselves as why such a calamity has dawned upon entire humanity. This disaster can also be a wakeup call for all of us.

The virus spread from seafood and animal market in Wuhan, China.  A report in CNN explains, “In the likely epicenter of the virus — the so-called wet-markets of Wuhan, China — where wild animals are held captive together and sold as delicacies or pets, a terrifying mix of viruses and species can occur.” 

It is now widely believed that bats are the carrier of the virus. They might have either directly passed it to humans or through some intermediate host.  Although as of now there is no conclusion about its origin but researchers agree that its origin is from non-human species.

It was transmitted to humans because some ate the animal which was carrying that virus.

Humans are not supposed to eat animals or drink their blood. But especially in China, the concept is – you can eat anything on the land except motorcars, anything in the sky except airplanes, anything in the sea except ships. Why blame China, people in many parts of the world are today practicing the same eating habits. Unfortunately, even in India too.  They are not just eating animals but are also drinking their blood. And surprisingly we call ourselves humans and them as animals.

Bird flu, swine flu, mad cow disease, and now coronavirus which have resulted in deaths of thousands of people all over the world have spread because human beings eat animals.

Have we ever read about potato flu, brinjal flu, tomato flu, milk flu, curd flu, paneer flu or mad cauliflower disease, mad spinach disease?

We are not supposed to kill animals and eat and drink their blood. We are supposed to live on food grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk.  As per my wife, Dr Ketaki, who is a dentist, “The human dentition and digestive system have been designed for the intake of vegetarian food and not non-vegetarian food.”

In fact, the scriptures go one step ahead and say that vegetarian food should first be offered to the Lord and then consumed. Bhagavad Gita 9.27.

The Lord purifies the food and when we take that pure food then we remain healthy. And a healthy body is generally free from diseases.

But if we go against the laws of the nature created by God, then nature will react. If we exploit the nature, then we will be exploited.

If we eat animals, we will have to live like animals in cages. Like animals we are now forced to lock ourselves inside our houses, we cannot go out. And eventually we will die like animals.

God has made us humans so why not live like humans?

Srila Prabhupada always cautioned that if we play with the nature then we will have to suffer. In one of the conversations, he explains, “We act according to our whims and the resultant action is there immediately. Nature’s law, God’s law, is there. It is not God’s creation that somebody is suffering from some painful condition and somebody is enjoying. No. We infect ourselves with some contamination because this material world is full of contamination. You must remain very cautious. Otherwise you will have to suffer.” — Conversation in Mayapur, 19th Mar 1976.

As we have isolated ourselves from the world to save ourselves from the virus it is also a time for us to go deep within and introspect why we are suffering and what steps we should take so that we do not suffer in future.

God does not want us to suffer. Therefore, he gave us sacred Vedas which explains how we can live happily in this world and how we can minimize our suffering. The Vedas elaborately explains how to live and how not to live, what to eat and what not to eat.

Srila Prabhupada writes in Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.24 Purport, "By practice, one should avoid eating in such a way that other living  entities will be disturbed and suffer. Since I suffer when pinched or  killed by others, I should not attempt to pinch or kill any other living  entity. People do not know that because of killing innocent animals  they themselves will have to suffer severe reactions from material  nature. Any country where people indulge in unnecessary killing of  animals will have to suffer from wars and pestilence imposed by material  nature. Comparing one’s own suffering to the suffering of others,  therefore, one should be kind to all living entities. One cannot avoid  the sufferings inflicted by providence, and therefore when suffering  comes one should fully absorb oneself in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra."

So if we want to free ourselves from the sufferings then we should try to reconnect ourselves to our roots, to the teachings of the Vedas and to the Supreme Lord who is our best well-wisher.

As we are locked inside our houses, we have an option to spend time watching news channels, movies, serials or programs like big boss. We can also spend time tweeting, updating status on Facebook, forwarding unlimited WhatsApp messages, watching funny TikTok videos, posting pictures on Instagram or Pinterest.

Or else we can spend time reading books like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam which will nourish our intelligence and bring us closer to God. 

When King Parikshit faced the biggest challenge in his life then he without wasting even a single moment took shelter of the Supreme Lord.  He spent his days hearing the transcendental teachings of Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukhadeva Goswami, son of Ved Vyas.

If we take shelter of the Lord, shelter of the sacred Vedas and pray to the Lord then our miseries will surely vanish. In Bhagavad Gita 3.10 Krishna explains the process by which we all can be happy in this world,

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

The best yagya in this Kali Yuga, the age of downfall and suffering, is the sankirtan yagya. In Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32 it is mentioned that in this age of Kali Yuga intelligent men and women chant the holy names of the Supreme Lord.

During World War 2, there was a danger that Kolkata may be bombed. Thousands of residents were fleeing Kolkata during that time but Srila Prabhupada was not afraid. He said let us do sankirtan and with few devotees he did sankirtan on the streets of Kolkata. No bombs were dropped on Kolkata.

As the coronavirus disease spreads from people to people contact so we cannot come together to perform sankirtan physically but each one of us can individually chant the holy names of the Lord.

As to protect ourselves from the coronavirus infection we are asked to wash our hands with soap constantly and also use sanitizer, similarly, we should clean our hearts and sanitize our consciousness from the contamination of the world by sincerely and regularly chanting the holy names of the Lord like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

This will protect us, protect our family members, friends and relatives, and the entire world.  If we take shelter of Krishna, the Supreme Lord, he will protect us and the whole world from this pandemic.

Let us contemplate:

• Is God responsible for our suffering or we are responsible for our suffering?
• Why eat animals when sacred Vedas asks us not to do?
• Why not follow the teachings of sacred books like Bhagavad Gita which is a manual for humankind and live happily in this world?

Kurma Purana tells Ravana did not kidnap original Sita

Ramadasa was in deep agony.  His eyes were filled with tears of sorrow. He was so absorbed in remembering Lord Rama, the Supreme Lord, and mother Sita, the mother of the entire universe, that he thought he too was living in the forest with them.

He even forgot that he had invited Lord Chaitanya to his humble home for lunch. Lord Chaitanya is none other than the Supreme Lord.  The Lord during his pastime as Lord Krishna had rejected Duryodhana’s invitation who had arranged an opulent feast. He instead went to the house of Vidura without any invitation and enjoyed eating simple preparation of spinach. 

The same Lord was now at the house of the brahmana for lunch. But Ramdas had not cooked till now.  Mahaprabhu was hungry, not angry. “Why haven’t you cooked?” asked the Supreme Lord.  

“The ingredients for cooking have still not arrived. Lakshman has gone inside the forest to collect vegetables, roots, fruits, and other essential items but has not returned yet. Once he is back, mother Sita will begin cooking.” Ramdas’s deep absorption in the pastime won the heart of Mahaprabhu.

Soon the brahmana realized his folly. Mahaprabhu was at his house at his invitation. It was already noon. Without further delay, he began preparation and served food to Lord Chaitanya. 

Chaitanya Charitrmrta Madhya, Chapter 9, Text 185 informs, “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took His lunch at about three o’clock.”

But the brahmana did not eat anything. He fasted. Mahaprabhu inquired, “Why are you fasting? Why are you so unhappy?”

“Thinking that mother Sita has been touched by a nasty person, Ravana, I am feeling utterly miserable. My heart is burning in disgust. I should have died but I am so unfortunate that I am still alive.” Ramdas, the brahmana, was in tears while uttering these words.

Mahaprabhu was so surprised to hear the sorrowful words of the brahmana. He immediately replied, “Mother Sita’s body is spiritual and not material. So how can any materialist even touch her? Forget about touching, a person with material vision can’t even see her. Ravana did not kidnap mother Sita. The demon who lived in illusion kidnapped her illusory material form.”   

The authoritative words of Mahaprabhu relieved him of the pain and the Lord made sure Ramdasa had his lunch, although it was too late.

The saga of Lord Rama and mother Sita is popular all over the world, especially in India.

But millions of people are unaware of the fact that Ravana did not kidnap mother Sita, but he kidnapped an illusory material form who looked like Sita.

But the uninformed people question if that was the case then why Lord Rama asked Sita to prove her chastity?

It is true that all including the demigods headed by Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma were flabbergasted when they heard Lord Rama asking Sita to walk through the fire to prove her purity.

How can it be possible that Lord Rama did not know that Sita was never kidnapped?

He had crossed the gigantic ocean not to kill Ravana but to meet Sita. How can he distrust her now?  

Sitadevi was in tears.

Lakshman was devastated but was helpless.

As per the order of the eldest brother he assembled the woods and lit the fire.

Sita circumambulated Lord Rama, the Lord of the universe, and entered the fire.

The ocean stood still. The sky watched in disbelief. All beings of the land, of the water and of the sky including the demigods headed by Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma wanted to jump in that fire. Rama put his head down. He did not want anyone to see his tears.

Just like a piece of gold glitters more in the fire, similarly, Sita in the fire was so effulgent that her effulgence overshadowed the effulgent rays of the sun.

And from the fire appeared the god of the fire, Agni. He felt immensely blessed having been touched by the lotus feet of mother Sita.

He spoke to Rama, “Her mere presence purifies the three worlds. How can sin even touch her? She is supremely pure.”

Sita wearing red robes, a garland of celestial flowers and beautiful gems walked towards Lord Rama. She was desperate to meet him. And he who was hiding his emotions could no longer contain himself.

Rama declared boldly, “Sita is as inseparable from me as sun rays from the sun.”

It was not that Lord Rama wanted any certification from anyone to know Sita is pure.

But he who resides in the hearts of all knows the hearts of all. He knew people bereft of conscience may question Sita and bring their own downfall.

And how can he tolerate any infamy to Sita whom he loved more than his own life? He knew well that his act will be criticized for sure by the ignorants.

And he also knew that this act will ensure Sita attains all glories. Her virtues will be sung in all the directions for eternity.

He knew that the atheists, the agnostics, the ignorant, the cunning people who can stoop low to defame anything virtuous would also not even dare to question the purity of Sita. One of the foremost duties of the husband is to protect his wife in all situations and in all circumstances.

And he, the best amongst all, protected Sita, his eternal consort, by taking all the pains and giving her all the glory.

Who can better understand the heart of Rama than his father, Dasaratha?  

Dasaratha, the father in law of mother Sita, who was then residing in heaven with Indra, seated on a celestial chariot came down and spoke, “Do not think ill of your beloved husband. He put you in a moment of agony to declare to the entire world that you are extremely pure. For eternity your glories will be sung. Your virtue will overshadow the renown of all virtuous lady.”  Reference: Ramayana -> Part Three – War – Chapter 14 – Sita’s Ordeal, https://vedabase.io/en/library/rkd/3/14/

And in Kaliyuga Lord Rama appeared as Lord Chaitanya to establish this fact again that Sita was never kidnapped and her chastity was never tested.

Lord Chaitanya after meeting Ramadasa visited Ramesvara temple where he found Kurma Purana. 

In the Purana, it is mentioned that as soon as Ravana came to kidnap Sita, Sita immediately petitioned the fire – god, Agni. The fire god brought an illusory form of Sita and Ravana kidnapped the false Sita.

The original Sita went to the abode of the fire god.

And so, when Lord Ramachandra tested Sita then it was the false Sita who entered the fire. And at that very moment, Agni brought the original Sita before Lord Rama. 

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu immediately went to Ramadasa, the servant of Lord Rama, to deliver the script.

Ramadasa was so happy to get the original leaf manuscript of the Kurma Puraṇa.

His doubts were now cleared. He was now delivered from an unhappy condition.

With tears in his eyes he fell at the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya and said, “Sir, you are Lord Ramacandra Himself and have come in the dress of a sannyasi to give me audience.” Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya 9.214. 

Overwhelmed by the emotion he pleaded the Lord to accept food at his house again. This time he joyfully cooked the food and served a first-class dinner to the Lord.