Author: Purushottam Nitai Das

Snana Yatra celebration is to remind us that Lord Jagannath wants us to deal with him personally

Lord Jagannath who is Krishna wants us to deal with him personally, this is why he appears in this world and performs so many pastimes. Snana Yatra celebration is one such festival – the festival of loving reciprocation between the Lord and his devotees.

Today Lord Jagannath is going to be bathed with many pots of sacred water in Jagannath Puri and also at all the places where Lord Jagannath is worshipped. Jagannath is Krishna or Krishna is Jagannath. He is the Lord of the universe. So, how can he become sick? If you and I become sick, then it is understandable because we have material bodies which continues to decay daily. Our physical body is fragile and prone to many diseases.

But the Lord’s body is not physical. But still, he gets sick. Just like Lord does not require food for survival but still he gets hungry and becomes angry when there is some delay in giving him food. 

If we see all the pastimes of Krishna in Vrindavana or in Dwarka we will see that there is continuous exchange of love between Krishna and his devotees. Whether Krishna is playing with his cowherd friends, taking cows for grazing to Govardhan, stealing butter from the house of the gopis, breaking the pot containing butter, dancing with the gopis – all these pastimes are celebration of reciprocation of love between the Lord and his devotees.

Krishna with his devotees enjoy each other’s company. And when they all are together, there is song, dance, drama, games, pulling each other’s leg, teasing each other, laughter, anger, joy and delicious food. Every moment is a moment of celebration.

Krishna is personal and he wants personal relationship with us too. So, he comes to this world to teach us how to develop personal relationship with him.

Jagannath needs personal attention & care

Jagannath, the Supreme Lord, does not feel hot or cold but still he needs a bath with cold water during the summer time, just like we need to bath with cool water during this period.  So, we have Snana Yatra for Jagannath.

Since he is bathed with many pots of water, so he gets sick, he develops fever. Why? Because he gives us an opportunity to personally take his care. So, for 15 days he remains in a separate room, we can say sick room, and devotees give him medicinal herbs and healthy food.

Since he is sick, so he is not healthy enough to give darshan to his devotees.

How much separation we feel from Jagannath?

So, for 15 days devotees won’t see the Lord on the altar. This is the time to check our heart that during this period whether we are feeling separation from the Lord or not. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, used to visit temple daily to take darshan of Lord Jagannath when he was in Puri. 

During this period when he was not able to see the Lord then he would develop deep separation from Jagannath. He could not bear the separation and would leave Puri and go to Alarnatha.

We feel separation from someone whom we love. So, we have to check our heart if we will be missing the Lord for these 15 days or not. And also, how much eagerly we are waiting to see the Lord on the altar.

It is the period to check how much love we have for the Lord.

Lord wants personal attention, so let us introspect whether we are giving personal attention to him or not.  

We eat food and Lord also wants us to give him food. So, whatever we are eating are we first offering to Lord with love before eating it?  Are we nicely taking care of Lord daily by cleaning him and his altar daily, performing arati daily, doing kirtan for him daily.

If not, then let us do it because this is what Jagannath wants that we should deal with him personally. By doing so we will gradually develop love for the Lord.

And that should be the purpose of our life – to fill our heart with love of Lord.

Three Reflections

1. During this hot weather, Jagannath wants us to bathe him with cold water.
2. Lord gets sick to give us an opportunity to serve him personally.
3. Do we feel separation from the Lord when we do not see the Lord?

Ask Yourself?

• Are we personally taking care of the Lord?

Action Items.

• Daily prepare veg food without onion and garlic and first offer it to Krishna or Jagannath.  Perform arati of the Lord daily.

Do we have faith like Prahlada in the mercy of the Lord?

Prahlada was put into so many difficulties by his father, but he had faith in the mercy of the Lord. The five-year-old boy was convinced that Lord is always going to protect him if he remains under the shelter of the Lord.

When Hiranyakashipu, the demon king, got the boon of almost being immortal in the world then little did he realize that his authority will be challenged by a five-year-old boy who will be his own son.

Prahlada gave good advice to his father but Hiranyakashipu whose heart was filled with hatred for Lord Vishnu did not like the advice. Prahlada did not dislike his father, but he wanted to show him the reality. Sometimes when a doctor administers a bitter pill to the patient then it is not that the doctor dislikes the patient. He just wants to cure the patient.

Everyone wants to become God

Hiranyakashipu thought he is God. His madness did not end here, he believed that he can kill Lord Vishnu. Any sane man i.e. any devotee of the Lord will laugh at this proposition. Its like a rat dreaming of killing a lion.

Prahlada had compassion for his father. He begged him to give up his stubbornness and accept that he is not God, he cannot be God, and he will always remain subordinate to God.

One of the biggest diseases in this world is the desire to become God and act like God.

The materialists try to enjoy like God, the yogis meditate to get the power like God and the Mayavadis want to merge into God so that they can become God.

And everyone for sure always fail in their endeavour. Hiranyakashipu too failed.

But one question we may have is that how a five-year-old boy can challenge the mighty king whom he even demigods feared? It was because Prahlada was completely convinced about his true identity that he is a soul, part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. And his understanding wasn’t theoretical.

He realized the Lord within his heart too. This is why when children of his age were busy playing, he was experiencing joy in chanting and singing the names of the Lord. 

Hearing about the Lord deepens the faith in the mercy of the Lord

The soul being pleasure seeking always looks for pleasure. And the topmost pleasure comes in chanting the names of the Lord.

Prahlada gained this understanding by the grace of sage Narada who recited Bhagavatam when he was in the womb of his mother, Kayadu. The soul is always active whether inside the womb or outside the womb.

The name, form and glory of the Lord which fortunate Prahlada heard from Narada penetrated his heart, and he understood his eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord.

Sravanam i.e. hearing from the devotees of the Lord is of great importance. Hearing enlightens us by removing our ignorance and connect us to the Supreme Lord.

Parikshit Maharaja attained perfection by hearing Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukhadeva Goswami.  Srila Prabhupada was also eager to hear. When in Vrindavan he had an option to go and see the deity of Śeṣaśāyī Viṣṇu or listen from his guru, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, then Prabhupada chose to hear Krishna katha.

Little Prahlada developed deep faith in the mercy and protection of the Lord by hearing about the Lord. And the Lord did not disappoint him. Lord Vishnu always protected him and appeared as Lord Narasimhadev to eliminate Hiranyakashipu who was trying to torture and kill him.

Three Reflections

1. One of the biggest diseases in this world is the desire to become God and act like God.
2. The topmost pleasure comes in chanting and hearing the names of the Lord.
3. Prahlada developed deep faith in the mercy and protection of the Lord by continuously hearing about the Lord.

Ask Yourself

• Do I have faith in the mercy of the Lord?

Action Items

• List down three instances when you found yourself helpless but when you prayed to Lord then you were miraculously protected by the Lord.

Lord Rama appears to teach us how to live happily here

Why does Lord Rama appear in this world? Is to kill Ravana? Rama is the creator and destroyer of this universe so killing Ravana was not a big deal for him.

They why he comes? He comes for you and me. The Supreme Lord Rama appears to teach us how to live happily here.

If we begin living as per the standards set by Rama, then we can easily live a misery free life. Let’s reflect on few such examples.

Though the Supreme Lord, he was always subservient to his guru and rsis. He faithfully followed any instruction given by sage Viśvāmitra and Vasista. Despite his father asking him to give up his claim for the throne of Ayodhya and live in forest for 14 years, he never disrespected or disobeyed him.  

Not just that he did not harbour any malice towards Kaikeyi, who had compelled Daśaratha to act in such a cruel way. Even his own son Bharata was not willing to forgive her, but Rama asked his younger brother to give up all hatred for his mother.

How wonderful our life will become if we too like Rama learn the art of freeing our heart of all the hatred!

Rama & Sita’s love in separation

After becoming the king, Rama treated everyone equally including the animals.

To show the world, how a king and the queen should be above all suspicion, Rama and Sita agreed to live separately.  Today some people question Rama’s act. This is because of lack of scriptural understanding. Rama and Sita can never be separated.

To the mundane eyes they both suffered the agony of separation. But scriptures say this “love in separation” is much superior to “love in union.”  Srila Prabhupada explains, “The separation of Lord Rāmacandra from Sītā is spiritually understood as vipralambha, which is an activity of the hlādinī potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead belonging to the śṛṅgāra-rasa, the mellow of conjugal love in the spiritual world.”  Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.10.11 purport

Never give up duty in any circumstances

Lord Rama also taught us to never give up our duties even if the circumstances are unpleasant.  His appearance was a great reassurance for all the devotees because he always protected them.

He was mere 16 years old when Viśvāmitra came to Ayodhya and asked Daśaratha to send Rama with him to protect the sacrificial arena from the Rākṣasas.  Daśaratha in tears said, “Rama is so young and has no experience of fighting a war.”  

But Viśvāmitra was aware that Rama is not any other human being who needs to be trained to fight a war. He is the Supreme Lord, creator, maintainer and destroyer of the universe.

So, how much difficult for him will be to destroy the miscreants like Maricha, Subahu and other Rākṣasas who were associates of so-called mighty Ravana and were causing great trouble to Viśvāmitra and other sages. And we all know how swiftly Rama eliminated these Rākṣasas.  Later he even destroyed Ravana bringing joy to the devotees.  

Rama’s impeccable examples are for us to follow with determination. Lord Rama appears and performs many pastimes to teach us how to live happily here. Our heart will experience joy once we bring Rama in our life and start living as per the examples he has set. Rama will shower his mercy upon us and under his love and care, we will be safe and secure.

Three Reflections

1. Rama was not attached to becoming a king, similarly we should not be attached to any power or positions.
2. Rama forgives Kaikeyi teaching us that we should be ready to forgive even those who have harmed us.
3. Rama & Sita are eternal couple, they can never be separated.

Ask Yourselves?

• Do I still carry anger in my heart against a person (or persons) who has(or have) harmed us?

Action Item

• Say a prayer to Lord Rama and take a vow to forgive that person who has heart you.

Holy name of Lord more powerful than the Lord

Holy name of the Lord is very powerful, in fact sometimes it is said that the holy name of the Lord is more powerful than the Lord. 

If we reflect upon the pastimes of the Lord, we will see how Lord shows that his holy name is extremely powerful.

Name of Rama more powerful than Lord Rama

During the construction of Ram Setu, monkeys were writing the names of Rama on the stones and boulders and were throwing it in the ocean to build the bridge. The mighty stones did not sink but would float in the water.

The monkeys were constantly chanting the names of Lord Rama and writing it also on the stone. The construction of Rama Setu had become a Sankirtan festival. Rama was happy to see everyone happy.

Now once Lord Rama himself took a stone and threw it in the ocean. But surprisingly, the stone sank in the ocean. When Hanuman saw this, he smiled. He said to Lord Rama, “Who can save someone whom you have abandoned but who can sink someone who has taken shelter of your holy name. Under the shelter of your holy name, the fortunate soul will never drown into the turbulent ocean of material existence.”

Hearing this Lord Rama smiled. There is a beautiful song which says the name of Rama is greater than Lord Rama – ram se bada ram ka naam.

Draupadi helplessly calls the name Krishna

When Draupadi was being disrobed in the Kuru assembly in Hastinapur then no one came forward to save her honour. In that assembly there was undefeatable Bhisma, guru Drona, Vidura, five mighty Pandavas who were also husband of Draupadi.

But still Dushasana dragged her in the assembly and was trying to strip her naked. With tears in her eyes, she was begging everyone for mercy, but everyone looked away. Then she tried to save herself by holding her sari tight using all her might. But she was failing to protect herself from mighty Dushasana.

In utter helplessness, she raised both her arms and called the name of Krishna. Krishna who was in Dwarka at that time was about to take his meal. But as soon as he heard Draupadi calling his name, he immediately left everything and came to her rescue.

Krishna supplied her unlimited saris. Dushasana failed in his attempt to disrobe Draupadi. Draupadi’s honour is saved and her glory increases.

The name Narayana saves Ajamila

Ajamila had committed so many sins in his life that at the end of his life Yamadutas came to drag him to hell. Seeing the fearsome faces of the Yamadutas, Ajamila called the name of his son whom he loved the most. His son’s name was Narayana.

In great despair, Ajamila called the name Narayana helplessly.

When Vishnudutas, the messenger of Vishnu, heard the name Narayana, they immediately rushed there to protect Ajamila from the Yamadutas. Just by calling the name Narayana, Ajamila was saved from going to hell.

Ajamila understood the danger of leading a sinful life. After his life was spared, he gave up everything and began practicing devotion to Lord and subsequently he perfected his life.

Since by chanting the holy names of the Lord devotees get shelter of the Lord, so devotees say that holy name of the Lord is more powerful than the Lord.

Although we may not have access to the Lord, but we always have access to holy name of the Lord. So, let us always chant the holy name of the Lord.

Three Reflections:

1. The stones begins floating in the ocean when Rama is written on it.
2. Draupadi calls the name Krishna and Krishna immediately comes to save her.
3. Ajamila just says Narayana and Vishnudutas comes and saves him.

Ask Yourself?

• Do I have faith in the holy name of the Lord?

Action Item

• Read “Gajendra’s Prayers of Surrender” from Srimad Bhagavatam. The Lord comes to save Gajendra, the elephant, when he calls the name of the Lord.

Observing Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi with right Consciousness

Today is Nirjala Ekadashi, it is also called Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. This is said to be the most important Ekadashi because as per the scriptures, if anyone has not been able to observe any of the ekadashis of the year then by observing this ekadashi one can get the benefit of observing all the ekadashi of the year.

Although this is said to be the most important reason but if we delve deep into it, we will find that this ekadashi is giving us a very important spiritual message.

Let us see how.

The word nirjala means “without water”. In other ekadashis, devotees take non grain prasadam and water is not prohibited. But in this ekadashi, no water, no food. But why so?

It is because it is expected that on this day, we should give up our attachment to the most basic necessity of life – not just food but also water.

Food and water are required for sustaining our physical body but spiritually we are souls and as souls we are not afflicted by hunger and thirst.

It is when we accept this material body and get attached to it then the physical demands of the body start troubling us. 

Most important message of Nirjala Ekadashi

The most important message we get in Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi is that we are not this body, but we are spirit souls.

And if we remain absorbed in chanting and hearing about the Lord then we will not be troubled by bodily demands of hunger and thirst and under the shelter of Krishna’s holy name we will be happy and satisfied.

So, we should spend every moment of the day in chanting the names of Krishna, reading Srimad Bhagavatam, hearing lectures of Srila Prabhupada, our spiritual master, senior devotees, visiting temple, taking darshan of the Lord, participating in arati and kirtan in the temple.

Also, on this day, we should keep ourselves away from mobile, internet, TV, newspaper, mundane discussions – like discussion on politics, sports or something like this. And it should also not happen that we switch on AC and sleep for hours and just try to complete nirjala ekadashi without chanting and reading scriptures.

If someone is not able to observe nirjala ekadashi because of serious health issues, then they should do the same thing which the devotees who are observing nirjala ekadashi are doing – sravanam & kirtanam, hearing and chanting the names of the Lord.

Lord accepts humble devotees

Now whatever we do the most important thing is to do with right consciousness. Sometimes while observing nirjala ekadashi some may develop ego that I am practicing austerity and start looking down upon those who are not observing it or are not able to observe because of health issues.

Lord only accepts humble devotees and not the one who carries pride in their heart. We know that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not accept a brahmana who used to live only by drinking milk. But later when the same brahmana had humility in his heart then Mahaprabhu accepted him.

So, with a humble heart let us observe Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi. On this auspicious day, let us rise above bodily consciousness and keep ourselves completely occupied spiritually.

Seeking Lord’s mercy to observe nirjala ekadashi successfully

If we are able to do so, then we will find that hunger and thirst will not trouble us much. And when we are able to complete nirjala ekadashi successfully then next day after breaking fast we will feel deep inner satisfaction and happiness.

So, let us pray at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra Maharani, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and Srila Prabhupada to shower their mercy upon us so that we can successfully observe Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi and spend the entire day in sravanam and kirtanam.

Three Reflections

1. Observing Nirjala ekadashi gives benefit of all the ekadashi.
2. Today we have to rise above bodily consciousness and give up attachment to food and water.
3. We should spend entire day in chanting the names of Krishna and reading about Krishna from scriptures like Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrta.

Ask yourself?

• Why I am observing nirjala ekadashi?

Action Item?

• Today, with a humble heart remember Krishna by continuously chanting the beautiful Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Are we wasting this human life gifted to us by Krishna?

This human form of life is gifted to us by Krishna so let us not waste it by indulging in those activities which will take us away from Krishna.

Suppose that a person is gifted a luxurious car like Rolls Royce, but he is using it for picking garbage from the street.  What will you call him? Intelligent or utter foolish? The answer is obvious.

Similarly, those who use the precious human life in satisfying their senses like the animals then holy scriptures call them unholy and foolish.

Just think that there are 8.4 million species of life across this material universe and one of the species is of human beings. There are several varieties of animals, birds, aquatics, plants, insects and so on. Some of these species we might have not even seen or may not even know.

We might have seen pictures or videos of some animals or plants which have been spotted for the first time. There are insects who are born in the stool, live in the stool and die in the stool. And there are hogs who live on stools. Such an abominable life.

We are so fortunate that we are humans. So, Lord expects us to live like humans. But if like animals we are mad for sensory pleasures then what is the use of us being humans?

The purpose for human life is to get free from the repeated cycle of birth and death, get liberated from all the miseries and most importantly get reunited with Krishna. If we are not doing so, then we are losing this precious gift of Krishna.

Krishna does not deprive his devotee of anything

And because of neglecting the advice of the Lord, if we glide down to animal life then we do not know after how many millions of years we will again get this human body?

People most of the time are obsessed with economic development. They think that if the bank balance swells then their enjoying capacity will also multiply manifold. But how much can we enjoy? Our capacity to enjoy materially is limited.

It is not that if we eat 4 chapatis daily, a bowl of rice, dal and vegetables then after becoming a billionaire we will start eating 100 chapatis, 50 bowls of rice, 100 liters of dal and 100 kg vegetables daily. Many times, people obsessed with earning money develop health issues and are not even able to enjoy their meal.

Yes, looking for financial stability is not wrong, and we should work hard for that. But while doing so we should not neglect devotion to Krishna.  In fact, if we practice devotion to Krishna then Krishna will make sure that we do not have scarcity of anything in this life. This is confirmed in Bhagavad Gita 18.78.

And in the next life anyway we will be with Krishna, so there won’t be any suffering.  If we turn the pages of history, we will find that no one who has taken shelter of Krishna ever was deprived of anything.

So, we are told that we should live in this world by keeping Krishna in the center. If we do so success and happiness is guaranteed. This is the best use of the human form of life gifted to us by Krishna.

Three Reflections

1. There are 8.4 million species of life and one of them is human life.
2. Human life is rarely achieved.
3. This human life is Lord Krishna’s gift to us.

Ask Yourself?

Am I using this human life to enjoy like animals or using it to develop love and devotion for Krishna?

Action Item

While doing any activity think if it is taking you towards Krishna or away from Krishna.

Krishna who resides within our heart is always watching us | Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.16

Although we cannot see the Supreme Lord Krishna who as Supersoul resides within our heart, but he is always watching us. He is the one who constantly directs the activities of the living entities. Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport of SB 6.3.16, “..every living being acts according to the direction of the Supersoul, who is situated within the heart.”

The different limbs of the body like hands and legs cannot see the eyes but these limbs can act properly only with the help of the eyes. When we see properly then we can walk properly and touch something appropriately.

Similarly, we are not able to see the Lord who is in our heart but without the Lord our existence is impossible.  Krishna, the Supreme Lord, again and again try to highlight in Bhagavad Gita that he is residing in the heart of each living entity as Supersoul, Paramatma.  

And from the heart he watches, monitors, directs and always tries correcting us. Many times, when we try to do something wrong then we hear an inner voice cautioning us against acting whimsically. That voice is of Paramatma, the Supersoul. If we heed to the advice of the Lord, then we can save ourselves from so much suffering.

But if we ignore the good advice of the Lord and act as per our whims then we are sowing the seed of suffering. Lord always cares for us, so he is there with us always. And the Lord does not want us to suffer so he has given us the scriptures which has dos and don’ts. 

Happy souls follow the advice of the Supersoul

But many times, we the adamant souls want to defy the will of the Lord. For example, we see before the Mahabharat war Krishna went as a peace messenger to the Kauravas asking them to stop acting impiously and live according to religious principles. But foolish Duryodhana not just refused to listen to Krishna, but he even tried to capture and imprison him.

But who can bind the Lord?

Like Duryodhana if we too try to go against the will of the Lord and act then like the son of the blind king, we too will face defeat in all our pursuit. But like Arjuna, if we follow the direction of the Lord then we will always be victorious.  Krishna is always watching us. And what we get in life is how we act.  Happy souls follow the advice of the Supersoul.

So, we should regularly read scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, listen to the lectures of Srila Prabhupada, it will help us to understand what is good for our future and what is bad. When in doubt, we should always consult a senior and serious devotee of Krishna, he will show us the right path. Remember Krishna is constantly watching us, so let us not try to displease him.

Three Reflections:

1. Krishna as Supersoul resides within our heart.
2. We cannot see him in the heart, but he directs all our activities.
3. If we act as per his will then success is for sure.

Ask Yourself?

• Am I acting whimsically or as per the guidelines given by Krishna in the scriptures?

Action Item

• While doing anything refer the scriptures, list to lecture of Prabhupada and take guidance from a senior and sincere devotee of Krishna.

Nimi Maharaja asks about the process of Karma Yoga | Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.41

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.41
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Monday, 5^th June 2025
• Speaker: HG Nimai Anand Prabhu

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam class HG Nimai Anand Prabhu spoke about Karma Yoga and highlighted that all work is not worship. Only if we work for Krishna then work is worship and that karma becomes karma yoga. Prabhuji was speaking on the verse SB 11.3.41

ŚB 11.3.41

śrī-rājovāca
karma-yogaṁ vadata naḥ
puruṣo yena saṁskṛtaḥ
vidhūyehāśu karmāṇi
naiṣkarmyaṁ vindate param

Translation

King Nimi said: O great sages, please speak to us about the process of karma-yoga. Purified by this process of dedicating one’s practical work to the Supreme, a person can very quickly free himself from all material activities, even in this life, and thus enjoy pure life on the transcendental platform.

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.41

1. Since the living entity cannot remain inactive, he must learn to dedicate his activities to the Lord.
2. ..it is the nature of the soul to be always active. Without the presence of the spirit soul, the material body cannot move
3. ..dovetailing one’s work with the service of the Lord is an art one should learn at the lotus feet of the bona fide spiritual master

Soul cannot be inactive

Nimi Maharaja who is absorbed in pure devotional service is asking a relevant question here. His question is about karma yoga. True karma yoga is powerful.  We are always active, even for a moment we cannot be inactive. It is because we are spirit soul. Spirit soul is sat i.e. eternally active. Cit that he always looking for knowledge about Krishna. And Ananda i.e. always wants bliss.

Our original pursuit is to know Krishna. Forgetting Krishna, spirit soul is now trying to be active on material platform and so becomes unhappy.  Sunyavadi says everything is 0, Mayavadi tries to make everything inactive. Both are wrong. Act of any philosophy other than Krishna Consciousness is crime because it does not satisfy the self at all.

Karma yoga means activity performed as per one’s nature but is connected to Krishna. Work is compulsory. But we have to see that what is the impetus for work. What is the motive. A materialist works hard and so does the devotees. Difference is the impetus. The impetus will define the result we get and the destination of the soul.

Only two reasons for doing work

There may be different impetuses for doing work, but these can be categorized in two.

1. Impetus is self-centered – One work for sense gratification and is driven by false ego.
2. Impetus is Krishna–centered – One work for Krishna

Both works hard but results are different. Materialists get bind in this world by work and devotees are freed from the entanglement of maya.

Self centered person works for these three reasons

• Gross sense gratification – To satisfy the gross senses like eyes, ears, tongue, skin and so on. It is impetus to work hard.
• Subtle sense gratification: People look for name, fame, glory etc.
• Extended sense gratification: People work for children, for family, for society, for nation.

The above activities are karma and not karma yoga.

When we do karma and connect to Krishna then its karma yoga. Work is not worship if not connected to Krishna. But if done for Krishna work is worship.

How people working for self can start working for Krishna?

1.It can happen by logical understanding.

One understands that sense gratification is temporary and illusory. It is illusory because it gives insignificant happiness, is addictive and is dangerous.

We start understanding that working for Krishna is my true welfare.

Also, we understand that real self is part of Krishna. If we think in this way then we come out from self-centeredness to Krishna centeredness.

2. By associating with those who has bhakti for Krishna

It is said bhakti sanjayate bhaktya – bhakti comes from bhakti.We can give our heart to Krishna only if we associate with those who has given their heart to Krishna.

Narada Muni explains that how by associating with Bhakti Vedantist his life got transformed and he became a devotee of Krishna. Pure devotees’ association is infectious. So, we should develop attachment for those who have love for Krishna.

If we do so our impetus will change, our motive will change.

Bhakti cannot be produced but can only be induced and it happens by the association of pure devotees.

Start your day by remembering Krishna, the Supreme Lord | Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1

Srila Vyasadeva begins Srimad Bhagavatam by remembering Krishna and offering his prayers to him.  In his prayer, the great sage says that Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  There are many great personalities in the universe who are extremely powerful.

We have demigods like Indra, the king of heavens, Surya, Chandra, Vayu and so on. Then there is four headed Lord Brahma, the creator of this material universe. And we also have the Supremely powerful Lord Shiva, who plays the role of annihilating this universe.

But above all of them is Lord Krishna. He is the original creator, maintainer and destroyer of this universe.  Though Brahma creates but he is not the primary creator but the secondary creator.  The knowledge and ability to do this comes to him from Sri Krishna. Brahma is the first living being of this universe. He is born from the lotus flower which emanates from the navel of Garbhodakshayi Vishnu. And this Vishnu form is the plenary expansion of Krishna who resides in Goloka.  

So, Brahmaji in his prayer to Krishna says that he is the cause of all the causes – sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam. Sri Brahma Samhita 5.1

We see how as a child when Krishna opened his mouth then mother Yashoda saw the entire universe within the mouth of Krishna. And surprisingly she also saw herself looking inside the mouth of Krishna.

Lord Krishna pervades the entire universe. He is also within your and mine heart, in fact in the heart of all the living beings – sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo, Bhagavad Gita 15.15

Srimad Bhagavatam helps to always remember Krishna

Vyasadeva is writing Srimad Bhagavatam to tells us the glories of Krishna who resides in everyone’s heart. The book teaches us who is Krishna, our relationship with Krishna and how much it is important to get connected with Krishna.

This is why among all the Vedic literatures written by Ved Vyasa, Srimad Bhagavatam is called purest and topmost – śrīmad-bhāgavataṁ purāṇam amalaṁ, Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.18.

Since he is now going to tell us in detail about Lord Krishna, so the great sage first seeks the blessings of Krishna so that his endeavour is successful.  And indeed, he was successful in describing in detail the activities of Krishna and how living beings like you and me will be utterly benefitted if we establish our relationship with Krishna.

This great literature is helping us to reunite with Krishna

The sage is also teaching us that whatever activity we begin first we should pay our obeisances to Krishna. If we do so, then result will be glorious and also spiritual.

Three Reflections

1. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
2. He is the original father of all the living beings.
3. Endeavour to remember Krishna.

Ask Yourself?

• Am I remembering Sri Krishna & offering my prayers to him before starting any work?

Action Item

• As soon as you get up in the morning remember Lord Krishna.
• Before starting any work in the day offer prayer to Lord Krishna.

Prayer which Krishna likes is

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Importance of following Vedic injunctions | SB 11.3.45

• Srimad Bhagavatam Class: SB 11.3.45
• Chapter Name: Liberation from the Illusory Energy
• Venue: Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata
• Day/Date: Monday, 3^rd June 2025
• Speaker: HG Acharya Ratna Prabhu

In today’s Srimad Bhagavatam class HG Acharya Ratan Prabhu spoke about the importance of following Vedic injunctions. Prabhuji was speaking on the verse SB 11.3.45

SB 11.3.45

nācared yas tu vedoktaṁ
svayam ajño ’jitendriyaḥ
vikarmaṇā hy adharmeṇa
mṛtyor mṛtyum upaiti saḥ

Translation

If an ignorant person who has not conquered the material senses does not adhere to the Vedic injunctions, certainly he will engage in sinful and irreligious activities. Thus his reward will be repeated birth and death.

Important points from the purport of this verse SB 11.3.45

1. ..because of false pride a so-called brahmacārī, or celibate student of Vedic knowledge, rejects the marriage ceremony as māyā, or material illusion.
2. But if such a celibate student is unable to control his senses, he will undoubtedly degrade himself by eventually engaging in illicit sex..
3. ..a neophyte in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is encouraged to eat kṛṣṇa-prasādam to his full satisfaction.
4. ..an immature practitioner of bhakti-yoga tries to make a show of severe eating habits and eventually falls down into eating unregulated and abominable foodstuffs.
5. .s.a sinful person is awarded a free ticket to hell by the lord of death himself, Yamarāja.

Below article is based on the class given by HG Acharya Ratna Prabhu.

Renunciation should be based on knowledge

An ignorant person cannot control his mind and senses. Controlling mind and senses is not easy. We need proper engagement for it else we will be carried by our instinct. A person whose mind and senses are uncontrolled engage in sinful activities.

In this fallen age of Kaliyuga people are mostly uncivilized. They do not have any goal in life, have no faith in scriptures and God. They live like animals. So, they are compared to dvipad-paśu, two legged animals.

But one who becomes fortunate starts inquiring about the purpose of life – “athato brahma jijnasa. They begin following Vedic injunctions, start believing in God.

Although their motto of life is sense gratification, but they have regards for God. This is what is called karma kand. follows Vedic injunctions, follows God i.e. called karma kand.

However eventually they will realize that goal of life is not sense gratification but to love God and serve God.  One also come to understand that Krishna is the Supreme God who should be worshipped.

There may be someone who may start thinking that I now know the highest truth so there is no need for me to follow Vedic injunctions. But one should not disregard the rules of the scriptures. Renunciation is not based on ignorance or frustration but is based on knowledge.

One should come to the conclusion that “I am not this body but eternal soul and serving the Lord is my eternal engagement.” Unless one is situated on this platform and is properly engaging his mind and senses one will indulge in sense gratification.

Performing duty as per Vedic injunctions

We see in Bhagavad Gita that when Arjuna refuses to perform his khastriya duty then Krishna condemns Arjuna. In the beginning, Krishna gives Arjuna karma kanda argument. Krishna says that in the battle if you win then you will enjoy the kingdom and if you will lost then you will die and go to heaven and then you will enjoy there.

So, if one performs his duty properly then may be he is not able to enjoy in this life but in next life, he will be happy.

When one is more advanced then one just focusses on doing one’s duty and is not attached to the result of his activity. By doing duty in this way, one gets transcendental knowledge and will slowly get detached from this world.

More one is attached to senses gratification, more one suffers.

But when one becomes detached from sense gratification one becomes peaceful.

We should always try to engage senses in the service of Lord. Sitting peacefully is difficult at conditioned stage, so better to engage senses properly. This will purify the senses.

From karma kanda one come to the stage of karma yoga, from Karma yoga to jnana yoga and then to astanga yoga. If one is fortunate one comes in the association of devotees and understand God and his relationship with God. Then one starts practicing bhakti yoga.

But if someone comes in touch of a devotee then one can directly start practicing bhakti yoga. Even from the animalistic life one can become a devotee by the mercy of a devotee.

But one should never give up following scriptures else one will not be able to sustain advancement.

Two Example

In spiritual path one should be honest and follow the direction of guru, sadhu, sastra.

In modern times, people want to practice spiritual life but do not follow scriptures and concoct their own philosophy and so cannot sustain.

For example, if one is not able to control his mind and senses then one should get married. If one does not do so, then one will indulge in illicit sex. In married life too one can advance in Krishna Consciousness.

Other important aspect is that one should properly take prasad. If one does not do so then one may end up eating unacceptable food and fall down. So, eat nice prasadam and be happy.

All these Vedic injunctions are helpful and not troublesome.

One should be honest, humble and should have sincere desire to advance in spiritual life.