Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Who likes to hear the glories of Lord Krishna

Those who have given up any hope to be happy by indulging in sense gratification likes to hear the glories of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. An introspective person contemplates that this world is temporary, relationship of this world is flickering and his body with which he is too attached now is also going to get destroyed one day.

So, what is there to be happy here?  He begins to look for a solution which will free him from all material miseries and will help him to attain a destination where life is eternal.

Seeing the eagerness of such a fortunate soul, Krishna directs him to a devotee who is free from all material attachments and has fully dedicated his life to Krishna. He is a bona fide representative of Krishna.

When the suffering soul begins hearing from him the message of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita, then he experiences great relief. His heart starts dancing in joy and he becomes fully satisfied. The medicine of Krishna Consciousness relives him from all miseries.

To advance in Krishna consciousness, it is important that we hear the glories of Krishna from those who are always absorbed in Krishna and not from anyone else.

These days sometimes people get misled by Bhagavatam reciters who are good orator, who discusses mostly the esoteric pastime of Krishna, but their heart is full of material desires. While speaking Krishna katha, these professional reciters shed tears too, seeing this the audience too starts crying.

Their talk mesmerises the audience. But unfortunately, people’s heart does not get transformed.  Even after hearing Bhagavatam for a week, they remain the same person. They continue indulging in sensual gratification and do not fully surrender to Krishna.

Hear glories of Krishna from sincere devotees

Such people after returning home will switch on their TV to watch some shows or will watch videos on mobile. And while watching some TV serials or movies, they shed tears there too when some emotional scene comes.  There material attachment has not gone away then how will they develop love for Krishna?

When Srila Prabhupada began preaching then there were people indulging in many sinful activities but after hearing from him, they gave up all bad habits. They lost interest in reading newspapers, hearing movie songs, going to cinema and watching sports. 

Instead, they began taking pleasure in chanting the names of Krishna and hearing the glories of Krishna as given in Srimad Bhagavatam.

So, if we want to advance in our spiritual life then we should hear from a realized soul. This is suggested even by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – (bhāgavata paro diya bhāgavata sthane).

Hearing glories of Krishna from sincere devotees of Krishna is the perfect medicine to get freedom from the repeated cycle of birth and death. It frees our heart from material attachment and sense gratification and gives us taste in chanting and singing the glories of Krishna.

If we are not doing so, then we are wasting this human life which we have got after transmigrating through 8.4 million species.

Such a foolish person is called killer of one’s own self. If we do not perfect our life now then we do not know after how many lifetimes we will again get this human body.

Three Reflections

• An introspective person begins to look for a solution which will free him from all material miseries and will help him to attain a destination where life is eternal.

• If we do not perfect our life now then again, we do not know after how many lifetimes we will again get this human body.

• Hearing glories of Krishna from sincere devotees of Krishna is the perfect medicine to get freedom from the repeated cycle of birth and death.

Ask Yourself

• Are we regularly hearing from Srila Prabhupada or his representative or we are also hearing from those who are not bona fide?

Action Item

• Prefer to listen lectures of Srila Prabhupada and those representing him correctly.

Mother Yashoda goes calling Krishna when he does not return home

In Vrindavan, Krishna and Balarama would be busy playing with their cowherd friends. Once they were playing since morning after breakfast and it was time for lunch, but they had not yet returned home.

Both the brothers were so absorbed in playing that they did not notice that they have been playing for hours. First Rohini goes to call them. But they do not listen to her.

Rohini knows that Yashoda’s love for Krishna and Balarama is more, so she asks Yashoda to go and bring them back.

Mother Yashoda goes to call Krishna and Balarama who were so busy playing that they had forgotten to return home. But they do not listen to her too. They continue playing. Mother Yashoda says that your father, Nanda Maharaj, is waiting for you. He will not take lunch without both of you.

When they hear this, they decide to return. But the cowherd friends say to Krishna, “If you go then we will not allow you to play with us next time.” They start discussing among themselves that whenever Krishna starts losing, he runs away, so next time we will not take him in our team.

When Krishna hears this, he becomes afraid, and he again starts playing with them. But this time Mother Yashoda catches the hand of Krishna and Balarama and brings them back home.

By these pastimes which is full of love and affection, Krishna gives pleasure to his devotees. He also enjoys these pastimes. Krishna always likes to be surrounded with his close devotees. He plays with them, sing with them, dance with them and eat prasadam with them.

His devotees are oblivious to the fact that he is the Supreme Lord. And even if they know they do not give much importance to them.

Vrindavan is Krishna’s home

Just like even if a person is the Prime Minister of a country but at his home, he remains a son to his parents, brother to his siblings, husband to his wife and father to his child. At home he is not treated the way he is treated in his office.

No one at his house will stand up when he enters the house, no one will salute him and no will call him sir or Mr Prime Minister at home.

His mother may even chastise him for coming later or not having food on time. His brothers and sisters will pull his legs; his wife may sometime become upset with him and he will have to make efforts to please her. And his kids will sit on his lap or play with him. Although he may be the Prime Minster, but he will relish such intimate relationship.

Similarly, although Krishna is the Supreme Lord, but Vrindavan is his home and everyone staying there are his family members. So, his relationship with his devotees in Vrindavan is not official but personal.

This is why we see his pastimes in Vrindavan with his devotees are full of fun and intimacy. Such a wonderful bonding gives great joy to the Lord and all the devotees.

Also, the relationship which Krishna is having in Vrindavan will never end like the way it happens here in this material world. Krishna is eternal and his devotees in the spiritual world are also eternal.  We too have an opportunity to participate in Krishna pastimes in Vrindavan.  Let us work in that direction by becoming serious in our devotion to Krishna.

Three Reflections

• Krishna and Balarama are so absorbed in playing with his friends that they forget that its lunch time and they have to return home.
• Vrindavan is Krishna’s home and everyone living there are his family members.
• The relationship which Krishna is having in Vrindavan will never end like the way it happens here in this material world.

Ask Yourself

• Do I have desire to be part of Krishna’s pastime in Vrindavan?

Action Item

• Read the chapter “The Childhood Pastimes of Kṛṣṇa” from Srimad Bhagavatam 10.11.

Krishna always gives precious gifts to his devotees

In Vrindavan, once one fruit seller lady gave fruits to Krishna. And in return Krishna filled her baskets with precious gems. But the lady was not elated because she got valuable jewels, she was rejoicing because she got to see Lord Krishna and most importantly had an opportunity to serve Krishna.

The happiness which a soul gets by serving Krishna, the Supersoul, is immeasurable. This is why we see so many ultra rich people, rulers of the world were easily able to give up everything material once they developed love for Krishna.

It was not that by giving up material power, positions and possessions they were depriving themselves of something. But by doing so they were freeing themselves, so that they can grab with both of their hands the precious gifts which Krishna were offering them.

Krishna is the husband of goddess of fortune, so, it is not difficult for him to distribute riches to their devotees. Krishna always gives everything to his devotees.

As he filled the basket of lady with emeralds, golds and diamonds, similarly, he gave everything to Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada had nothing when he began to preach Krishna Consciousness in the western world. He was carrying just 40 Indian rupees. But after few years of preaching Prabhupada was having Rs 40 crores.

Prabhupada would joke that I went with Rs 40, but I am now having Rs 40 crores. By saying this Prabhupada would try to convince people that if you give something to Krishna, then he will give you abundantly.

What do devotee do with the gift which Krishna gives him?

But what does a pure devotee of Krishna do with riches he gets? What did the lady do when she got a basket full of gems. She immediately emptied the basket of the gems, filled it again with fruits and ran towards the house of Nanda Maharaj to offer fruits to Krishna and to see the beautiful face of Krishna.

What did Prabhupada do with Rs 40 crores? He used it in the service of Krishna. It was not that after having huge money, he began leading a luxurious life or wearing branded dhoti, kurta. He remained the same person and continued to be absorbed in Krishna.

In devotional life, there is always competition between Krishna and his devotees. This is the beauty of Krishna consciousness.

Devotees try to give their best to Krishna and Krishna tries to give everything to the devotees. But whatever a devotee gets from Krishna, he again uses it in the service of Krishna.

And when Krishna sees this then he gives more to a devotee. And again, the devotee uses that gift from Krishna in the service of Krishna. This tug of war never ends. When it began, no one knows. But one thing one knows that this is never going to end.

This is an eternal pastime of Krishna and his devotee. In this pastime both of them enjoy unlimited happiness.  We also have an opportunity to be part of this pastime.

Praying Krishna to free our heart from all impurities

But unfortunately, souls like us are obsessed with material sense pleasures in spite of knowing that this is the root cause of all sufferings.

Janmashtami is very near, Krishna is soon going to appear. And we know that, Krishna always gives precious gifts to his devotees. So, this Janmashtami let us grab the lotus feet of Krishna and beg him to gift us a life free from all material impurities.

Let us request him to free our heart of all material attachments which is causing us great sufferings. And let us pray to Krishna to give us an opportunity to serve him continuously.

Three Reflections

• In Vrindavan, when a fruit seller lady gave fruits to Krishna then in return Krishna filled her baskets with precious gems.
• Prabhupada went to west with Rs 40 but came back with Rs 40 crores.
• Whatever a devotee gets from Krishna, he always uses it in the service of Krishna.

Ask Yourself?

• What gift I am planning to give Krishna this Janmashtami?

Action Item

• This Janmashtami give at least something to Krishna with love and without expecting anything in return.

Lord Balarama teaches us how to always serve Krishna

If we study the pastimes of Balarama, we will find that he always teaches us how to continuously serve Krishna.

Before Krishna appeared Balarama appeared. Why? Because Balarama first made the womb of Mother Devaki suitable for Krishna to appear. Balaram is the first expansion of Krishna, who always serves Krishna.

He is the adi guru, the first guru. Without Balarama’s mercy getting Krishna is impossible. Those who tried failed miserably. There was a gorilla named Dvivida Gorilla. He was on the side of Lord Rama’s army and played an important role in defeating Ravana’s army. But the gorilla had one drawback. He had great respect for Lord Rama but not for Lakshman.

Rama is Krishna and Lakshman is Balarama. Since the gorilla did not have faith in Lakshman, he fell down. He got into the company of those who were inimical to the Supreme Lord and committed many sins. And in Krishna lila, Balarama finally punished him by killing him.

Just imagine what a glorious past he had as he was part of Lord Rama’s army but because he disrespected Lakshman, he met a terrible fate.

In Treta yuga, he appears as Lakshman, in Dvapara Yuga as Balarama and in Kaliyuga as Nityananda.

Balarama, the original spiritual master

Lord Balarama directs the suffering souls to the lotus feet of Krishna. He teaches us how to worship Krishna and take his shelter forever.

Just think about it that today millions of devotees are chanting the names of Krishna all over the world, worshipping him in deity form, celebrating different festivals. But who gave this knowledge to all? It was Srila Prabhupada, the spiritual master of the whole world.

If Prabhupada had not given us this knowledge then like most of the materialists we would also have been watching TV, movies, cricket matches and would be obsessed with improving our material life.

But today we know the real purpose of life, which is to serve Krishna, love Krishna and live for Krishna.

This knowledge as how to serve Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is directly coming from Balarama. The mrindangas, the kartals, the ornaments, the dress, all which are used in the service of Krishna, are expansions of Balarama. As Lakshman, he was constantly serving Rama, as Balarama, he was always serving Krishna and as Nityananda, he was always serving Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

We learn from him that we should always be engaged in serving Krishna as per his directions. And how to know what he wants from us comes to us through our guru, the spiritual master. The spiritual master who comes into our life is representative of Balarama.

Srila Prabhupada is a representative of Balarama, and our guru is also representative of Balarama. We should be eternally indebted to Balarama, the original spiritual master, the adi guru, who gives us bala

Appearance day of Balarama celebrated at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata

Today, is Balarama Jayanti, also known as Balarama Purnima. Devotees all over the world are celebrating the appearance day of Balarama today. Just after one week, Krishna is going to appear, and we will be celebrating Janmashtami.

Today at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata, Balarama Jayanti was celebrated in an auspicious way. Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga, who are none other than Krishna and Balarama were gorgeously dressed. Scores of devotees were flocking to the temple to take their darshan.

As today is also Raksha Bandhan, so many devotees were also bringing rakhi and were offering it to Nityananda Prabhu. Morning Srimad Bhagavatam class was given by HG Sri Nitai Prabhu and HG Anant Bhagavan Prabhu. Pushpanjali was at 12 noon. During Pushpanjali, devotees chanted pranama mantra of Balarama and offered flowers to him. After Pushpanjali, there was arati, followed by delicious prasadam. 

Sweet rice was being distributed to everyone who were coming to the temple today.

On this auspicious day, let us pray at the lotus feet of Lord Balarama, to give us strength (bala), so that we can sincerely practice devotion to Krishna. Let us also pray to him to always give us shelter at his lotus feet. We all want Krishna, if this is true, then we should take shelter of Balarama who always teaches us how to serve Krishna.

Three Reflections

• Balaram is the first expansion of Krishna, who always serves Krishna.
• In Treta yuga, he appears as Lakshman, in Dvapara Yuga as Balarama and in Kaliyuga as Nityananda.
• On this auspicious day, let us pray at the lotus feet of Lord Balarama, to give us strength (bala), so that we can sincerely practice devotion to Krishna.

Ask Yourself

• Have I offered prayer to Lord Balarama?

Action Item

• If not, then write a prayer to Lord Balarama in at least 300 words.

Arrogant persons have difficulty to accept Krishna as the Supreme Lord

Those who are ignorant take to Krishna Consciousness but those who are arrogant find it difficult to accept Krishna as the Supreme Lord.

For example, Mrgari, the hunter, was ignorant so he was committing so many sins but once he came to know from sage Narada that how in future he will suffer for his sins, he immediately gave up killing animals. He accepted the supremacy of the Lord and took to devotional life.

By worshipping the Lord, his heart became cleansed, and he began seeing everyone as children of same God. This is why later when Narada comes to meet him then while approaching the sage he walks carefully so that he does not step on the ants coming his way.

On the other hand, we see Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra got so many opportunities to become devotees of Krishna, but they never accepted Krishna as their well-wishing friend. In fact, when Krishna came as peace messenger to Hastinapur, then instead of listening to his good advice, arrogant Duryodhana tried to imprison Krishna. And the blind king looked the other way when his son was committing such horrendous sin.

But who can capture Krishna who is the Lord of the entire creation!

Although Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra’s story is 5000 years old but still there are people who have the mentality exactly like them. I remember, during my college days, we had a cultural program and for that we had to go to a different place. But on that day, it was raining heavily, and it seemed that we won’t be able to participate in the program. While addressing us on that day a senior member of the management said that today we have to defeat God and participate in the program.

Foolish & Unfortunate do not accept Krishna

God is not like an ordinary envious person that he will take interest in disrupting some program in some corner of the universe. He has many better things to do. Summer, winter, rainy seasons keeps on coming and going and we have to live with it. But sometimes, some situations expose a person’s heart.

Sometimes materialistic people have intelligence and knowledge by which they are able to achieve something great. But instead of being grateful and thankful to the Lord for the gift of intelligence they develop ego which turns into arrogance. They do not realize that anything which they achieve here is temporary. And most importantly they do not know that their next destination will not be auspicious as they have been acting impiously in this life.

Such people might be in high position today, materially learned, ultra rich, may possess beauty or other attractive attributes but if they do not accept Krishna then there are utterly foolish, misdirected, unfortunate and lowest of mankind. This is what Krishna says about them in Bhagavad Gita. Krishna further says that such people do not come to him but glide down to hell. 

“Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.” Bhagavad Gita 7.15

So, let us check our life and see if we are happy to accept Krishna as the Supreme Lord and love loving him and serving him. Or we are so full in ourselves that we do not care for him.

Three Reflections

• After listening to Narada’s advice, Mrgari, gave up killing animals and became a devotee of the Supreme Lord.
• Although Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra’s story is 5000 years old but still there are people who have the mentality exactly like them.
• Those who do not accept Krishna are utterly foolish, misdirected, unfortunate and lowest of mankind.

Ask Yourself

• Do I accept Krishna as the Supreme Lord?

Action Item

• Take a vow to never think that Krishna is doing something bad to me.

Achieving love of Krishna in the association of devotees

Achieving love of Krishna isn’t difficult as most of us presume. For e.g. for a child to achieve the affection of father is very simple. The child just needs to reciprocate with the father’s love. Similarly, for us to get the love of Krishna, who is our supreme father, is not difficult.

He is eagerly waiting for us to show our love to him. We too want Krishna but unfortunately currently our attachment to Krishna is weak and to this world is terribly strong.

So, we need to make efforts to develop unbreakable and ever lasting bond with Krishna. This becomes easy when we begin associating with those who are deeply attached to Krishna.

This is one of the most important methods of inculcating love of God. An iron rod put in fire acquires fiery quality after a while. Similarly, if we remain in the association of sincere devotees then we eventually develop love for Krishna.

This is what the scriptures and acharya teach us.

Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, a Vaisnava acharya, has advised that one should always live in the association of those who are sincerely practicing devotional life and following the footsteps of previous acharyas – tadera carana sevi bhakta – sane vasa.

Srila Prabhupada says, “One must worship the lotus feet of the ācārya and live within the society of devotees. Then one’s endeavor to cross over nescience will surely be successful.” Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.31 purport

We see how hippies of the western world who had no knowledge about Krishna became sincere devotees of Krishna just by associating with Srila Prabhupada.

Krishna wants us back

While associating with devotees is vital for our spiritual advancement, it is also equally important that we do not associate with non-devotees. Those who are not interested in Krishna will try to pull us away from Krishna.  

We may be desirous to tread the right path, and our heart may long to get closer to God but in the company of non-devotee friends it becomes difficult to sustain the enthusiasm. If we spend too much time with them then we will succumb to our old bad habits.

Lord Chaitanya says, asat – sanga – tyaga, – ei vaisnava acarya: Characteristically, a Vaisanava is one who gives up the association of worldly people or non-devotees. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhaya 22.87

So as a seeker or as a beginner in Krishna consciousness, we should always try to remain in association of devotees of the Lord.  With them to practice devotion to Krishna is always inspiring.

And if at present we are not having such association then we should sincerely pray to Lord to provide us with the association of his sincere devotees. Krishna will reciprocate with our desire and put us in the company of sincere souls. He eagerly wants us to come back to him.

If we just take one step towards Krishna, then he begins desperately running towards us to embrace us and to be with us.  

Just imagine, how our life will become wonderful when we will get reunited with Krishna!

Three Reflections

• If we remain in the association of sincere devotees, then we eventually develop love for Krishna.
• A sincere devotee should give up the association of worldly people or non-devotees.
• If at present we are not having devotee association, then we should sincerely pray to Krishna to provide us with the association of his sincere devotees.

Ask Yourself

• Do I practice devotional life in the association of devotees?

Action Item

• If not, then try to find devotees living near you and practice devotion with them.

Vyasa Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada on his 129th appearance day

Dear Srila Prabhupada, this year, 2025, we are celebrating your 129th Vyasa Puja. It is because of your tireless efforts that today Krishna Consciousness has spread all over the world.

When the entire world had wilfully chosen the path of annihilation, you were the only one desperately trying to save the humanity from gliding towards the path of darkness and ignorance.

People had turned away from Krishna but wanted to be like Krishna, the Supreme Lord, the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the cosmic world. Lesser mortals of this world were working hard and making many plans with a desire to enjoy unlimitedly here. They had forgotten their real identity and their real need.  

Seeing the plight of the world, your spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, asked you to spread the teachings of Krishna and Chaitanya all over the world. As soon as you got this instruction in 1922, you decided to dedicate your life in making the whole world Krishna Conscious.  

A glorious journey

Your journey wasn’t smooth. You did not get immediate success. But you never gave up. You persisted. You got help from none and you never blamed anyone for this. We never see that you ever saying to Krishna that I am doing so much for you but still you are not giving me the desired result. You just wanted to serve Krishna and in return you wanted nothing.

The only desire you carried in your heart was to spread the glories of Krishna in every part of the world. Just like the sun rises from the eastern sky to illuminate the entire world, you too travelled from the east from the glorious land of Vrindavan, carrying the transcendental teachings of Krishna, to enlighten the entire humanity.  

Nothing can stop the sun from disseminating its rays, similarly no one could stop you from sharing the pure teachings of Krishna.

Through your life’s example you are teaching us that nothing should demotivate us in practicing devotion to Krishna and in serving the mission of Krishna Consciousness. And also, our service should be without any ulterior motive. 

Srila Prabhupada’s teachings & books brought us closer to Krishna

You brought us closer to Krishna, you connected us to Krishna, and you showed us how happiness will become our constant companion if we decide to never leave the company of Krishna.  Dear Srila Prabhupada, you gave us everything which is required for us to grow in Krishna Consciousness.

You taught us how to chant, how to worship Krishna and how to always be conscious of Krishna. You gifted us transcendental literatures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita and many more books.

Day and night without caring for your own comfort, compromising with your food and sleep, you wrote these books. When we read these books, we feel that Krishna is personally talking to us and calling us back to him.  

Because of your books and teachings millions of souls all over the world have got addicted to Krishna. They chant the names of Krishna, sing the glories of Krishna, dance while singing beautiful songs which talks about Krishna, worship the beautiful deity of Krishna, read the wonderful pastimes of Krishna and enjoy the prasadam which is lovingly offered to Krishna.

While doing so they experience great joy which they love to share with all.  Your books are full of wisdom and talks about pure devotion to the Supreme Lord. When we read it, we feel connected to Krishna.

Mahavatar Narsimha movie inspired by your teachings

Recently an animation movie Mahavatar Narsimha which was based on your teachings was released in India and it got phenomenal success. People with their family members are thronging to theatres to see the movie. The movie is now being released globally too. It was your teachings which inspired, the director, Ashwin Kumar, to make such a wonderful movie.

He says, “Srila Prabhupada has said that art is a window to the spirit world. We have to become mediums. When I embarked on this project, I decided to depend more on the shastras than mere concoctions. Srila Prabhupada, the Lord, and Srimati Radharani blessed me with visions, which I sketched and gave to my studio artists for production. This entire process—of cleansing, meditating, and creating—transformed me.” 

Your books and teachings are now inspiring creative people to present your teachings globally in the form of movie.  And people are loving it too.  Movies are one of the best ways to connect people especially children and younger generation to spirituality.

It shows how purity is the force. You have given us scriptures as it is and when we read it or see it in the form of movie, we feel connected to the Supreme Lord. We also understand the necessity of leading a God centred life.

Whatever you have given to the world, in recent times, no one has given. It is important that the world comes to know your glories for their own good.

Regular Bhagavad Gita Classes in Schools

Few months back I had gone to a school in Kolkata to conduct quiz on scriptures like Ramayana and Mahabharata. I saw that faculty members of the school were asking questions to students about different spiritual leaders of India but sadly there were no questions related to you.

It is high time that we make people aware about your contribution to the world especially to the people of Kolkata as this is your birthplace.  When people will come to know you, they will connect with you and when they connect with you, they will automatically get connected to Krishna and their life will be successful.  

Although devotees are trying their best but obviously much more needs to be done.

Now we have started Bhagavad Gita classes in different schools in Kolkata, which is based on your book, Bhagavad Gita As It. In one of the schools, they are now using this book in their course curriculum.

School purchased the book and distributed it to the students. We are having regular Gita class for students. They are memorizing the verses, understanding its meanings and also appearing for exams. During the class, they also chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Begging for Prabhupada’s mercy

I pray at your lotus feet to bless us so that we can start Bhagavad Gita classes in many more schools in Kolkata.  You brought us closer to Krishna, you connected us to Krishna, and you showed us how happiness will become our constant companion if we decide to never leave the company of Krishna.

When you had nothing, you served Krishna and a time came when you had everything, name, fame, success, still you continued serving Krishna.  You taught us how to dedicate our life to Krishna and how to selflessly serve him without expecting anything from him.  

You are the spiritual master of the entire universe because you are taking us towards Krishna, the Supreme Lord, the Supreme master and our eternal father.

Dear Srila Prabhupada on your 129^th Vyasa Puja, I pray at your lotus feet for your mercy and guidance so that I become sincere in practicing devotion to Krishna.  Please show mercy upon me and free my heart of lust, anger, greed, pride, envy, illusion and false ego.  

Please shower your mercy upon me so that I never leave your lotus feet and continue serving you and Krishna in any situations and circumstances and without any wrong motive.

Your eternal insignificant servant

Purushottam Nitai Das

Three Reflections

• Srila Prabhupada’s life teaches us that nothing should demotivate us in practicing devotion to Krishna and in serving the mission of Krishna Consciousness.
• Immensely successful Mahavatar Narsimha movie is based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
• Srila Prabhupada brought us closer to Krishna, connected us to Krishna, and showed us how happiness will become our constant companion if we decide to never leave the company of Krishna.

Ask Yourself

• Have I written Vyasa Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada on his 129th birth anniversary?

Action Item

• If not, then please write Vyasa Offering to Srila Prabhupada and share your heart’s feeling with him.

When Indra sends Cupid to distract Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi

When Indra saw Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi doing severe penance in Badarikāśrama then he became fearful.  He thought that by doing such austerities Nara Narayana Rsi will become powerful and will take my heavenly kingdom.

Indra always gets disturbed when he sees someone engaged in spiritual activities very seriously. This is because he is attached to his power and position and do not want to lose his throne.

Srila Prabhupada explains that Indra did not understand the glories of the Supreme Lord. He thought the Lord to be like him, full of desires and getting affected by material senses.

To distract Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi from doing penance, Indra sent Cupid to Badarikāśrama. But Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi can never get agitated by lusty desires.

Never see the Supreme Lord with material vision

Srila Prabhupada always say that we should not consider the Lord to be at our level. In Mahaprabhu’s pastime also we see that Damodar Pandit did not like when Mahaprabhu was meeting a small child of a widow. Although Damodar Pandit did this because he had great love for Mahaprabhu, but Srila Prabhupada says that no one should think that Supreme Lord will be carried away by material desires.  

Later, in Mahaprabhu’s pastime we see that when the discussion came of Mahaprabhu meeting king Prataprudra then Mahaprabhu refused to meet him. He said, “People will criticize me saying that how as a sannyasi I can meet a worldly person. Leave the world, even Damodar Pandit, will criticize me.”

In Krishna Lila also we see how Satrajit started doubting that Krishna might have stolen Syamantaka jewel. Satrajit thought that like the demigods, the Lord will also be attracted to a jewel. Krishna is the master of the entire universe; he is the creator and maintainer of everything of this world. Then how can he be attracted to a mere jewel?

We should never see Lord with our material vision.  Material desires and material senses do not affect the Lord because he is spiritual and not material. He is the Supreme Lord of all the planets and creator of all the living entities.

Glories of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi

But unfortunately, Indra did not know the glory of the Lord. So, foolishly he sent cupid to Badarikāśrama to distract Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi.

Now when the cupid began shooting arrows towards Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi in the form of irresistible glances of beautiful women, they began laughing at their childish act. The Cupid and his associates understood their mistake and fell at the feet of the Lord. They begged Lord for forgiveness. The Lord who is always merciful forgave them.

To the surprise of the Cupid, many women began appearing from the body of the Supreme Lord who were extraordinarily beautiful.  And the Lord asked them to choose any one and take it as a gift to heaven. They chose Urvaśī and when in heaven Indra saw Urvaśī and heard the extraordinary qualities of the Supreme Lord, Narayana, he was frightened as well as astonished.

Lesser mortals of this Universe are attracted to sexual desires and fantasies, not the Supreme Lord. Also, those who understand these transcendental qualities of the Supreme Lord, use his mind and all senses in worshipping the Lord. By dedicating their lives in the service of the Lord they too lose taste for material sense gratification and get free from all sexual desires.

Free from all sensual desires, they live happy with the Lord forever.

Three Reflections

• To distract Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi from doing penance, Indra sent Cupid to Badarikāśrama.
• When the cupid began shooting arrows towards Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi in the form of irresistible glances of beautiful women, they began laughing at their childish act.
• Lesser mortals of this Universe are attracted to sexual desires and fantasies, not the Supreme Lord Narayana who is a plenary expansion of Krishna.

Ask Yourself

• Do I think the Supreme Lord will get affected by material desires?

Action Item

• Read the pastime of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi given in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.4.6 – 16.

Service to a devotee of Krishna saved King Nṛga

King Nṛga was very charitable, yet he had to suffer for a sin which he committed unintentionally. But King Nṛga was finally saved by Krishna because he had once done service to a devotee of Krishna.

King Nṛga’s sin

Once a cow which the king had given in charity to a brahmana by mistake came back to his herd and he gave the same cow to another brahmana as charity.

When the brahmana who had got the cow initially saw this, he became angry and upset. He wanted his cow back but the other brahmana was not willing to give the cow. They both began arguing with each other claiming the cow to be their own. They went to the king to resolve the dispute.

King offered them to take one hundred thousand cows instead of that one cow, but they refused and went away. King’s mistake was unintentional but still he incurred sin for taking the cow of the brahmana which he had already given in charity.

And when he died then he had to suffer for the sin which he committed. He got the body of a lizard.

King Nṛga as lizard rescued by Krishna

But fortunately, he became a lizard in Dwarka and was rescued by Krishna. As soon as Krishna touched his body, he got free from the sins. He got a beautiful golden body like the resident of a heaven.  Later a celestial plane came and took him to the higher abode.

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that although he was suffering for his sins, he was able to get the darshan of Krishna because once he had helped a devotee by giving him charity to build the temple of Lord Krishna. He had also helped the devotee to get copies of Bhagavad Gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam. The devotee was happy and satisfied by king’s gesture. He blessed the king saying, “May you have darshan (audience) of the Supreme Lord.”

It was because of that devotee’s mercy that the King as lizard was able to get darshan of the Lord Krishna.

People perform pious activities with a desire to get some benefit. But while doing so, there is a possibility that someone may commit some mistake unintentionally. And for that one has to suffer. But the service to the Supreme Lord Krishna is so glorious that one does not have to worry about committing any mistake intentionally.

Krishna always protects his devotee

Service to Krishna never goes in vain. Even if someone does something little for the Lord, Lord notes it down and reciprocate with the devotee. Not just that Lord takes care of his devotee and protect him from all dangerous situations.

“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” Bhagavad Gita 2.40

King Nṛga did service to a devotee of Krishna and got saved by Krishna. Similarly, we will also be protected by Krishna when we remain under his shelter and continue serving him and his devotees.

A genuine devotee of Krishna while doing any service to Krishna, never expects anything in return. He just wants to serve the Lord; his only desire is to please the Lord. Even though the devotee does not desire anything from Krishna, he makes sure his devotee is never deprived of anything.

Three Reflections

• King Nṛga’s mistake was unintentional but still he incurred sin for taking the cow of the brahmana which he had already given in charity.
• King Nṛga did service to a devotee of Krishna and got saved by Krishna.
• Even though a devotee does not desire anything from Krishna, he makes sure his devotee is never deprived of anything.

Ask Yourself

• Have I done any service to Krishna or his devotees recently?

Action Item

• Donate something to Krishna on Janmashtami.

Are you ready to reunite with Krishna?

Scriptures say that unless and untill we reunite with Krishna, we will continue to suffer. Krishna too says in Bhagavad Gita we belong to him. “The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts.”  Bhagavad Gita 15.07

Krishna’s primary expansions are the visnu – tattva and we, the living entities, are his secondary expansions. Being his fragmental part & parcel we also possess qualities akin to that of the Lord. We are qualitatively equal to him but quantitatively we are infinitesimal to the Lord.

For e.g. Lord can create huge planets and we too can create something small – like an airplane. He can create oceans; we too can dig well.

Also, God is supremely independent and since we belong to him, come from him, so we also have been given some independence.  We have little freedom to choose in which direction we what to take our life.

How we utilize our independence depends on us. We can use it to be with Krishna, or we can misuse it to turn away from the Lord. When we prudently use our intelligence then we enjoy the privilege of living happily with the Lord in the spiritual world.

In the spiritual world we can see him, touch him, talk to him, play with him. In fact we blissfully spend each and every moment with Krishna there.

But when we misuse our intelligence, we lose the right to stay in the spiritual world just like a person loses the right to stay with the law-abiding citizens when he becomes a nuisance to society.

Let’s reunite with Krishna

In the material world away from Krishna, we try hard to make things better so that we can enjoy ourselves. But in spite of our efforts, we hardly get any joy. And if somehow, we achieve something to find pleasure, soon we find it to be temporary.

In the prison, a prisoner may try to adjust his surroundings to lead a better life, but he will hardly achieve any success because that is not his real home. He can experience happiness only when he comes out of the prison and reunites with his family and friends.

Similarly, if we are serious about our own welfare then the foremost thing for us is to realize that this is not our original home. We are in alien land. We need to endeavor to get out of here and return back to our original home which is the spiritual world.

Once we reach there then all our misery will vanish just as the darkness vanishes once the sun rises.  Since we are part and parcel of Krishna, we will be happy only when we reunite with him. Once we are with Krishna then we will need nothing, we will be completely satisfied and supremely blissful. The only goal of our life should be to live in such a way that our going back to godhead is 100% guaranteed.  

The independence which has been given to us is a valuable gift, let us not misuse it. Instead let us use it to go to the spiritual world and reunite with Krishna.

Three Reflections

• Krishna’s primary expansions are the visnu – tattva and we, the living entities, are his secondary expansions.
• Krishna is supremely independent and since we belong to him, come from him, so we also have been given some independence.
• The independence which has been given to us is a valuable gift, we should not misuse it, instead let us use it to go to the spiritual world and reunite with Krishna.

Ask Yourself

• Do I want to reunite with Krishna?

Action Item

• When you meet Krishna then what is the first thing you are going to say to him? Think about it and write it down in at least 300 words.