Tag: shelter

Three necessary shelters for devotees – nama brahma, daru brahma & shabda brahma

Supreme Lord appears in all the four yugas. In Satya Yuga, in the north he appears as Badrinath, in Treta Yuga in south as Ramnath i.e. Lord Rama, in Dwapar Yuga in the west as Dwarkanath and in Kali yuga in the east, the Supreme Lord appears as Lord Jagannath.

Those who are born in the eastern part of India like Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and northeastern states are very fortunate because they are closer to Lord Jagannath.

Not just that even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appears in Bengal. And our founder acharya, Srila Prabhupada is also from Kolkata, Bengal. Our vaisnava songs are in Bengali, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is in Bengali. So, we can understand that Lord is very merciful to the people of West Bengal.

From here the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spread all over the world. Krishna who appears in Vrindavan also appears in Mayapur as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His purpose is to enlighten the suffering souls who is struggling hard because of ignorance.

Forgetting his real identity the souls covered in the material body tries to enjoy in this world little realizing that the more he tries to enjoy the more he will be subjected to suffering.

So, the Supreme Lord comes to tell us to give up the false hope of happily living here. But instead break free from the material bondage and take complete shelter of Lord Krishna. 

Echoing the sentiments of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, his ardent follower and a great vaisnava saint, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, “bolo krishna bhajo krishna koro krishna-sikha.” The revered saint is asking us to be fully absorbed in serving Krishna.

nama brahma, daru brahma & shabda brahma

Bolo Krishna means “nama brahma” i.e. chanting the names of Krishna. Bhajo Krishna means “daru brahma” i.e. worshipping Lord Jagannath. Koro Krishna siksha means “shabda brahma” i.e. teaching Srimad Bhagavatam.

Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of Iskcon, taught us how to do it.  The sincere followers of Srila Prabhupada are constantly engaged in these activities.

Regarding śabda-brahma, Srila Prabhupada says, “…the real essence of śabda-brahma is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. By vibrating this transcendental sound, the meaning of everything, both material and spiritual, is revealed.” Śrimad Bhagavatam  4.24.40

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu performed many pastimes to educate us how to take shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma.

He constantly chanted the names of Krishna, preached people to dedicate their life to Krishna and by his personal example showed how to be engaged in the worship of the Lord especially Lord Jagannath. These wonderful pastimes of Mahaprabhu are given in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

In Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is described how Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to participate in Rath Yatra festival, how he used to perform sankirtan in front of the chariot of Lord Jagannath and how he used to visit the temple of Lord Jagananth daily to take his darshan.  Mahaprabhu used to see Jagannath as Radha Shyamsundar.

While taking darshan of Lord Jagannath, he would recite the verses of Jagannathastakam.

kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah
rama-sambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesarcita-pado
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

“Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha makes a loud concert with His flute in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotus like faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great personalities such as Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesa worship His lotus feet. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.”

If we remain under the shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma as taught by Mahaprabhu, we will always be protected by the Lord.

(Reference: Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Bhakti Vijay Bhagvat Swami Maharaj, June 23, 2025, Iskcon Newtown Kolkata)

Three Reflections

• In Satya Yuga, Lord appears as Badrinath, in Treta Yuga as Ramnath (Lord Rama), in Dwapar Yuga as Dwarkanath and in Kali yuga as Jagannath.
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us always take shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma.
• Nama brahma means the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, daru brahma means Lord Jagannath and shabda brahma means Lord Jagannath.

Ask Yourself

• Do I regularly take shelter of nama brahma, daru brahma and shabda brahma?

Action Item

• Daily chant the names of Krishna, worship Jagannath or Krishna or Mahaprabhu and read Srimad Bhagavatam.

Krishna rewards us as per our wishes

Krishna is an impartial Lord; he always rewards us as per our wishes. This he confirms in Bhagavad Gita, “As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly” (Bhagavad – Gita 4.11). So, this is a wonderful opportunity for us to get the best from Krishna. For this, we have to just take his shelter, and he will make our life wonderful.

If happiness is currently eluding us then it implies that we are now not being rewarded by Krishna. It is not because Krishna does not want to reward us, but it is because we do not deserve to be rewarded by Krishna. This happens because we have not agreed to take shelter of Krishna.

If anyone takes shelter of Krishna, Krishna considers him his own and gives him the best.

For example, when Dushasana was trying to dishonor Draupadi then she took shelter of Krishna, and Krishna immediately came to her rescue and saved her honor. Sudama surrendered all his possessions which he was carrying in the form of broken chipped rice to Krishna and Krishna gave him wealth greater than the emperor of the world.

This is Krishna’s mercy upon those who take his shelter.

Now, we may have a question as how to take shelter of Krishna. This is personally explained by Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. And he repeats this two times. This is the only verse which he says twice in this divine literature.

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me. Bhagavad Gita 9.34

Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. Bhagavad Gita 18.65

Always remain under Krishna’s shelter

Krishna advises us that in all situations and circumstances, we should be absorbed in him. During difficulties, we should remember Krishna and during happiness we should not forget Krishna. In this material world we do not know when happiness turns into disaster.

If we continuously remember Krishna, then no suffering will touch us. Sometimes externally it may look that devotees are being troubled by material miseries but internally they are not affected. This happens because devotees rise beyond their material mind and body.

For example, it looks like Prahlada was suffering when Hiranyakasipu was trying to kill him through various means. But Prahlada remained undisturbed and unharmed. And he also was always in bliss.

These stories of great devotees like – Draupadi, Sudama, Prahlada – teach us how we should live in this world amidst trials and tribulations. In this material world there will be people who will try to inflict suffering upon us. And sometimes the situations may not be as per our liking. 

But we should never get disheartened. This becomes possible when we give our heart to Krishna and decide to remain always under his shelter.

When Krishna sees this wish of ours, he happily comes and resides in our heart because he says in Gita that he rewards his devotees as per their wishes. Devotees then start experiencing great joy and feel completely protected.  

Three Reflections

• If happiness is eluding us, then it implies that we are not taking shelter of Krishna.
• Krishna advises us that in all situations and circumstances, we should be absorbed in him.
• When we give our heart to Krishna then Krishna comes and resides in our heart.

Ask Yourself

• Am I engaging my mind in thinking of Krishna or thinking on topics not related to Krishna?

Action Item

• As soon as your mind deviates from Krishna, force it to think about Krishna.

Necessity of taking shelter of Krishna| Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.26

The importance of taking “shelter of Krishna.” This was the focus of today’s (20^th May 2025) Srimad Bhagavatam class which was given by HG Prem Swarup Prabhu at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata. Prabhuji was speaking on SB 11.3.26.

SB 11.3.26

śraddhāṁ bhāgavate śāstre
’nindām anyatra cāpi hi
mano-vāk-karma-daṇḍaṁ ca
satyaṁ śama-damāv api

Translation

“One should have firm faith that he will achieve all success in life by following those scriptures that describe the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān. At the same time, one should avoid blaspheming other scriptures. One should rigidly control his mind, speech and bodily activities, always speak the truth, and bring the mind and senses under full control.”

Below article is based on the class given by HG Prem Swarup Prabhu.

Understanding Paramhamsas

This chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam is entitled “Liberation from the illusory energy.”  This is possible when we take shelter of a Paramhamsa who is absorbed in Krishna. So, what is the definition of Paramhamsa? Hamsa i.e. swan, if it is given a mixture of milk with water and other substances then hamsa can separate everything from milk and will drink milk only.

Similarly, Paramhamsa can be in this world, where he sees Krishna everywhere. A paramhamsa is not an ordinary hamsa. He can find Krishna in this world at every place. Even living in this material world, he can bring Krishna in focus.

All of us get affected by the modes of material nature, but when we associate with the devotees of the Lord, we become Krishna Conscious. Devotees teach us how to see Krishna and how to engage in Krishna Consciousness while living in any situation.

Srila Prabhupada’s faith in holy name & Srimad Bhagavatam

For example, Srila Prabhupada went to Bowry, Manhattan, USA where no one wanted to go. Even police did not go there. There people used to be drunk, would take LSD and carried a gun. And in drunken state they would shoot from the gun. So, who would go to that crazy land! But Srila Prabhupada went to such a place.

nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya

“Pure love for Kṛṣṇa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.” CC Madhya 22.107

Srila Prabhupada had full confidence in the holy name of Krishna and in Srimad Bhagavatam.

“On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.” Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.11

Srila Prabhupada says that the literature which describes the glories of the Lord can immediately create revolution. And the testimony is Srila Prabhupada transforming the hippies. Srila Prabhupada chanted for hours together, invited people to chant, gave them prasadam, gave them Srimad Bhagavatam and convinced them to take shelter of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada had full confidence that this is asausadhi (medicine). He did not have any material possessions but only had spiritual possessions. He gave Srimad Bhagavatam and Hare Krishna Maha mantra unfiltered. Although, he had Bengali accent, but all were convinced that this Swamiji has something which is very valuable. And if we start following him then we too can get that precious thing.

Most important principle in Iskcon

When Mahaprabhu asks Ramananda Ray about the object and process of worship then Ramananda Ray first speaks about the system of varnasrama. But Mahaprabhu says, “This is bāhya i.e. external.”

Ramananda Ray then speaks about many things, but Mahaprabhu is not satisfied.

But when he starts talking about chanting then Mahaprabhu says this will work. Mahaprabhu says that other things will make you feel spiritual but those are façade. But when a person develops taste in chanting and hearing in the association of devotees, then that is substantial.

So, foundation of spiritual life is sravanam and kirtanam in the association of devotees. Srila Prabhupada started Iskcon, with this principle and this is how it is being sustained.

Srila Prabhupada says that the literature like Srimad Bhagavatam which glories the Lord is so important for us for sravanam and kirtanam.

When material energy stops harassing us

In this chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam, we are hearing about material energy and its capacity to absorb us 24 by 7, in fact every moment of life, life after life. It is impossible for anyone to come out of this. If you are in the material world there is always disturbance. Srila Prabhupada says when one is drowning in ocean, then can one be peaceful? But someone says that I know swimming.

But in bhavasāgara how long can you swim? However great swimmer you may be, you will lose breadth at some moment.  So, there is so much fear. In this material life, if we deny Krishna then it will give us constant disturbance. Peace comes when we accept Krishna as the enjoyer and proprietor as stated in Bhagavad Gita 5.29. The moment we try to take position of Krishna, police catch us. For example, if someone barge into your house and try to enjoy there then you will call police and get him arrested.

Similarly, when we try to enjoy without connection to Krishna in this world which belongs to Krishna then police catch us. Police of this world is Durga Devi. And she has ten hands and ten weapons. She constantly harasses jivas (living entities) with these weapons who try to enjoy independently from Krishna.

Yesterday I was giving class, and, in the audience, there were elderly people, middle aged and also children. When I asked what you want in life then elderly people said peace, middle aged said peace and one little child also said peace. So, we see everyone is baffled in this world and are looking for peace. I told them if you do not surrender to Krishna then there won’t be peace, but life will be in pieces. So, it is necesary to always remain under the shelter of Krishna.

Be focussed on a specific goal

Whatever we do, maya will baffle us confuse us. I may think, I did hard work, but why this is happening? Material energy has power to create duality. In this world, if you give choice to people, then people will be confused that in which direction to go.

So, in army, they give only one instruction. The moment you give two instructions whole army will split. One group will go this way and the other another way. So, in Bhagavad Gita 2.41, Krishna says,

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām

“Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.”

Suppose that there are mango trees having 100 mangoes. You take 100 stones and try to hit different mango with each stone. You will keep on targeting different mangoes, but nothing will happen. In this way you will waste 40, 50, 60,80 stones without getting any mango.

But suppose that you decide to hit just one mango with 100 stones. Then once you begin hitting then after hitting it with few stones you will come to know that what is the best way to hit the stone to get the mango. And eventually you will get the mango.

Only goal should be to take shelter of Krishna through spiritual master

Srimad Bhagavatam is compared to a ripened fruit.

So, only way to counteract duality is to surrender to Krishna as given in the scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam. Surrendering to Krishna means surrendering to the spiritual master. We should surrender to someone who creates obligation. Srila Prabhupada says spiritual master is a transparent via media. We may have blurred vision.

But through sastra caksu which the spiritual master gives us we can see the Lord. Spiritual master helps us to surrender to Krishna.

Right now, we are busy making people surrender to us and not to Krishna. But our only goal should be to take shelter of Krishna. We should try to cultivate surrender to Krishna carefully as Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita.

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66

Nityananda Trayodasi celebration at Iskcon Newtown, Kolkata

Nityananda Trayodasi i.e. the appearance day of Lord Nityananda was celebrated with fanfare at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata on 22nd Feb 2024. Program included special darshan of the Lord, grand abhishek, Nityananda katha, kirtan, arati and delicious prasadam. 

Devotees throng to temple to take darshan of Lord Nityananda

The presiding deity of the temple, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga were beautifully and gorgeously dressed. 

Lord Nityananda in blue colour on his appearance day looked beautiful. Several devotees since morning started visiting the temple to take darshan of the Lord and seek his blessings.

Acharyas explain that Lord Nityananda is the most merciful incarnation of the Supreme Lord. He showers his mercy even upon most fallen person. In this age of Kaliyuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, everyone is most fallen. And because of our impure consciousness we commit many sins. And this is why we are always miserable.

Lord Nityananda appeared in this world for people like you and me who are most fallen. In spite of our degraded consciousness, even if we show little sincerity and plead Nityananda Prabhu for his mercy then he will immediately give his shelter to us.

He will free us from all the sins. He will free us from material bondage. And most importantly, he will give us Krishna prema.

“Simply by talking of Nityānanda Prabhu one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa. Thus all his bodily limbs are agitated by ecstasy, and tears flow from his eyes like the waters of the Ganges.” Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 8.23

As it was Nityananda Trayodasi, so, it was the best day for all the devotees to pray for the mercy of Lord Nityananda. 

On this auspicious occasion, devotees were fortunate to get the association of HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj and HH Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj.

Nitai Mora (My Nitai) Song

In the morning, Srimad Bhagavatam class was given by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj. Maharaj began his class with a heart touching Vaisnav song (Nitai Mora (My Nitai) Song) which extolls the glories of Lord Nityananda. 

“He (Lord Nityananda) does not consider who is poor, or fallen or troubled. Who is not like that? To every person He gives the gift of ecstatic spiritual love”

Lord Nityananda appeared in 1474 almost 550 years ago in Ekachakra dham. He appeared about 12 years before Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

In the class Maharaj elaborately discussed the reason for the appearance of Lord Nityananda and the different inconceivable pastimes of the Lord.

HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj speaks about the glories of Lord Nityananda

This is what Maharaj said:

During the incident when Lord Chaitanya was about to kill Jagai and Madhai, Lord Nityananda said give them to me. Lord Chaitanya said if you really want to forgive Madhai then embrace him. And then your forgiveness will be fruitful.

Lord Nityananda tightly embraced Madhai & in this way Madhai became free from material bondage. And by the touch of Lord Nityananda, Madhai attained all spiritual potency.

Lord Chaitanya is patitpavan i.e. deliverer of fallen. This is his identify. We often ask people, what do you do? Some say, I am doctor or engineer or lawyer.  Similarly, Lord Chaitanya’s occupation is that “he is patitpavan.“

Lord Nityananda is even more merciful than Lord Chaitanya

One of the six symptoms of surrender is to accept the mission of Lord as your mission. This is what Lord Nityananda did. Lord Chaitanya was about to kill Jagai and Madhai. They would have been cut to pieces by the Lord’s Sudarshan chakra. But Lord Nityananda saved them.

So, Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura makes the point that Lord Nityananda has accepted the identity of patitpavan even more than Lord Chaitanya has because Lord Chaitanya was prepared to kill Jagai and Madhai but Lord Nityananda saved them.

Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakura further says that Lord Nityananda is more one with Lord Chaitanya than Lord Chaitanya is one with himself. As a devotee of Lord Chaitanya, he has accepted the mission of the Lord.

It is said that demon who Lord Rama might kill, Lord Krishna might spare his life. That demon who Lord Krishna might kill, Lord Chaitanya may spare his life kill. And that demon who Lord Chaitanya might kill, Lord Nityananda will not just spare his life but also give him Krishna prema.

Lord Nityananda is an incredible person in so many ways. He is extremely merciful and it is inconceivable.”

Nityananda Prabhu’s instructions of Madhai

Maharaj further quoting Chaitanya Bhagavat said that although Madhai was forgiven but he felt bad because he had hit Lord Nityananda Prabhu with a pot. And because of this blood had started coming out from the forehead of Lord Nityananda.  So, he was feeling miserable from inside.

One day he approached Lord Nityananda and prayed to the Lord saying that how degraded he is and how merciful the Lord is. He said to the Lord that “Your body is so soft that Lord Chaitanya takes rest on it. By remembering your transcendental body, one attains salvation. But I am so sinful that I attacked you.”

Saying these words, tears started coming out from the eyes of Madhai. Lord Nityananda immediately consoled him and said that you are like a child to me. Sometimes a small child hits his father but father does not become offended. So, I am not at all offended.

And then Lord Nityananda said that you should always chant the names of Krishna i.e. the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, never commit any sins again and to serve the devotees you build a ghat. Madhai followed all the instructions of Lord Nityananda. He built a ghat and that ghat came to be known as Madhai Ghat.

Lord Nityananda is our only hope. He transformed the heart of Madhai. So, if we take his shelter then he will transform our heart too.

On the auspicious occasion of Nityananda Trayodasi devotees were again and again praying to the lord for his mercy.  

Abhishek of Lord Nityananda

In the evening the program began at 5 pm with the abhishek of Nitai Gauranga deity.

Throughout the day devotees kept on thronging the temple. Hundreds of devotees came to attend the evening program which started at 5 pm. For the evening program a beautiful pandal was built. Evening program started with the abhishek of the Lord.

For the abhishek, Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga deities were taken on palki from temple to the pandal where abhishek was to be held. Palki procession was accompanied with dancing kirtan. Throughout the procession devotees were showering flower petals on the Lord, fanning the deities with chamar and were blowing conch shells.

Abhishek started with the arati of the Lord with nine pista lamps. First sandalwood oil was applied to the Lord which was followed by til paste. After that the two deities were bathed with sacred items like milk, curd,ghee, gomoy, gomutra, honey, sugar candy water, kusa grass water, fruit juices like green grapes, black grapes, watermelon and pomegranate, sugar cane juice, kesar water, rose water, coconut water, sarvausadhi, mahausadhi, pancapuspa jal and flower petals.

Devotees’ experience mercy of Lord Nityananda

After the abhishek, there was Nityananda katha by HH Bhakti Chaitanya Swami Maharaj Devotees were also blessed to have the association of HH Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj on Nityananda Trayodasi. Maharaj beautifully spoke about the glories of Lord Nityananda.

After the katha there was Gaur Arati in which everyone enthusiastically participated. Devotees joyfully sang and danced for the pleasure of the Lord.  

Program concluded with delicious prasadam for all the devotees who came for the program.

Everyone felt blessed and happy and experienced mercy of Lord Nityananda on this auspicious day of Nityananda Trayodasi.

Begging Lord Rama for the shelter of his lotus feet

Dear Lord Rama, on this auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I beg for the shelter of your lotus feet. Your lotus feet is the only shelter of all the conditioned souls of this world who are struggling hard in this world. But surprisingly because of being covered by your illusory energy most of the people do not even realize that they are suffering.

What to speak of others, I myself though suffering think that I am not suffering. And in fact, in spite of being beaten severely by the laws of material nature again and again I still carry a hope in my heart that I can be happy in this world.  

A helpless life

My condition is akin to a helpless chicken struggling for survival under the butcher’s knife.  I see at many places dozens of chickens are stuffed in a small iron cage and are carried by the butcher to the shop to be sold as meat.

Their legs are tied with each other and with the cage and they jostle with each other for fresh air. Just to make sure that the chickens do not die before being sold, the cruel businessman puts some grains and a bowl of water inside that prison.

And the poor and powerless chickens eat those grains and drink the water and consider it to be their life. In the slaughterhouse, in front of their eyes they see their fellow mates being picked one by one and butchered.

But still a chicken thinks that yesterday I survived and today I may survive too. When it is hoping in this way the butcher puts his hand in the cage, grabs it by its wings and pulls it out of the cage. Then he puts the chicken on the weighing machine to measure its weight so that he can get proper price from the buyer. And then picks up its knife to sever the head.

The chicken in the hand of the butcher struggles hard for life, but neither the butcher nor the buyer shows any mercy and the people around it too does not show any sympathy.

False hope

My condition is not very different. I see every moment people struggle for survival but still they fail to survive. The ruthless time can knock us down at any moment.  But still I hope that a day will come when I will live here happily forever.

In this world, I am being constantly tossed up and down by the miserably waves of the material nature. I go through physical pain, emotional pain. Fellow beings betray me, insults me but still I continue with my wretched material life hoping that things will become normal in due course of time. But the truth is that expecting happiness in this material world is like expecting fresh mango juice in a desert.

So, I need to understand that for my own good I have to come out of the miserable material life and take to spiritual life. I know the truth now. So, I want to give up all my material attachments and want to get attached to your lotus feet forever.

I fail to take shelter of lotus feet of Lord Rama

Your lotus feet can only provide relief to me from all material miseries.

Dear Lord Rama, I want to just grab your lotus feet and be there forever and experience peace. If I remain under the shelter of your lotus feet which can grant any wish then all my wishes will be fulfilled.

But I have only one wish and that is to always remain under the shelter of your lotus feet.  If you grant me this wish, then my life will be successful. I will serve you eternally and be happy forever.

I know that you give shelter to anyone who comes to you with pure heart. But in spite of knowing the necessity and urgency of taking shelter of your lotus feet my heart which is still attached to the mortal things and mortal beings of this world does not allow me to fully dedicate my life to you.

I am trying hard to give up all material love but I am not able to do so. My mind and senses are impregnated with unlimited material desires and it forces me to suffer in this world.  I am not sure what to do. Also, I do not have the capability and strength to come out of it.

I am utterly helpless. Just like the demon Ravana captured mother Sita, similarly I am also in the captivity of my uncontrolled mind and senses. And they have confined me to this material world. I know that you appeared in this world and performed wonderful pastime with your eternal consort, mother Sita, to teach us many invaluable lessons.

Build a bridge to cross over the ocean of material existence

And one of the lessons which Mother Sita taught us was to never leave your lotus feet in any situations and circumstances. Although Ravana kidnapped her, threatened her, tried to torture her, tried to destroy her faith in you but she never succumbed to it. With great patience, determination and faith that you will surely come to rescue her she continued with her devotion.

You empowered monkey warriors headed by Hanuman and Sugriva to build a humongous bridge on the ocean to go to Lanka. In Lanka, you annihilated Ravana and his evil army of demons for mother Sita.

I do not have the capability to come to you. Just like you built a formidable bridge to reach to your beloved Sita, please build a bridge so that travelling on it I can swiftly cross the ocean of material existence and reach to your lotus feet which provides complete protection from all miseries.

Kill my material desires & I will never leave your lotus feet

Just like you killed unlimited armies of Ravana, similarly, please kill unlimited material desires which like a ghost constantly give me unlimited anxiety. You rescued mother Sita from the captivity of demon Ravana by shooting an arrow in his heart and killing him.

Similarly, shoot your arrow in my heart and kill all my material attachments which is keeping me away from you. And also impregnate my heart with the desire to always serve you and always love you. 

Once my heart will attain freedom from all unwanted worldly desires, it will attain freedom from all miseries.

And once my heart is flooded with the desire to be constantly under the shelter of your lotus feet then I will attain complete perfection and will become eternally happy.

Dear Lord Rama, I will then never leave the shelter of your lotus feet.

Important lessons a devotee of Krishna learns from churning of the milk ocean or Samudra Manthan

There are many valuable lessons which a practicing devotee of Krishna can learn from the churning of the milk ocean or Samudra manthan. Srimad Bhagavatam describes in detail about the momentous event in which devtas and demons came together to churn the ocean of milk.

The purpose was to retrieve nectar of immortality from the Ocean of Milk.  It was one of the rarest occasions when the fiercest enemies were cooperating with each other.

Vasuki, the king of the serpent was being used as a rope and the Mandara Mountain was the churning rod. Both the parties were anticipating that the moment churning will start the nectar will appear.

But to their surprise as they began to churn the ocean, they found that the ocean has become very turbulent. The big and small animals of the ocean like fish, sharks, tortoises, snakes, whales, crocodiles etc. got disturbed and came to the surface frightening all.

The misery of the devtas and demons got compounded when from the ocean came hālahala, the most dangerous poison. Everyone was aghast because instead of nectar, deadly and obnoxious substances were coming out.

Lord Vishnu who was supervising the entire activity was demonstrating to all that getting nectar isn’t so easy, it requires lots of effort.

Let us see what lessons a practicing devotee of Krishna can learn from the churning or milk ocean pastime or Samudra manthan.

Fighting our inner enemies in our pursuit for spiritual nectar

We can relate the churning of the ocean with our very own life. Chanting the holy names of the Lord like the Hare Krishna mahamantra means churning our heart.

We all have the experience that as soon as we start chanting, we become more agitated. The anarthas (or vices) like lust, greed, pride, anger, envy, illusion start attacking us vigorously.

We would have taken the process of mantra meditation or chanting with a hope that our mind will become peaceful, and we will experience serenity. But the opposite happens.  To our dismay, it appears as if we are at peace when we do not chant than when we chant.

Why so? Is mantra meditation ineffective or counter-productive? Definitely not. Then why anarthas start troubling us more.

Let us try to understand it with an analogy.

Cleaning an abandoned house

If you had an experience of cleaning a house which had been unattended for several months or maybe even years then you can easily understand what I am trying to say. But if you did not have that experience then do not worry, just use your imagination while reading further.

You are standing in front of the house with a big broom. You open the lock and push the door with all your might. The door slowly opens.

You look inside the house, you see mess everywhere. Lots of dirt on the floor, on chairs, on tables, and many cobwebs. Whatever dirt is there on the surface and the wall, you can easily see.

With the broom in your hand, you begin cleaning. And slowly you find yourself in a big mess. The dirty house showed its dirt and cobwebs but had hidden many surprises from you.

You just wants to run away

Soon you find yourself surrounded by horrible creatures who were living there peacefully. They are angry that their privacy has been invaded.  

These creatures angrily start running hither and tither upset at being evicted out. Few cockroaches may cling to your trousers and may try to enter into your pants to teach you a lesson. Rats with their big tummy may jump on your feet and may try to bite you too. Some spiders may be crawling on your shoulders and other parts of your body. They will scare the hell out of you.

You will try to scream but could not do so because you are surrounded by layers of dust and nauseating smell. Pigeons and bats which had made that house their home may be dancing on top of your head.

And you will be cursing yourself or the person who handed a broom in your hand and encouraged you to get inside it. In few moments you might have told yourself multiple times that if I knew I am going to go through this then I would have never come here.  You may feel that it is beyond your capability to clean the house and you may want to run away from there.

If you do not give up

But suppose that if with patience you persist and continue cleaning then what happens? Slowly the dirt gets removed, spiders are driven out, cobwebs demolished, rats and cockroaches will find the place inhabitable and will flee, pigeons and bats will fly away from there and will begin looking for new dwelling.  

After putting lots of efforts, you will have a perfectly clean house in which you can live comfortably and peacefully.

Our unattended heart

Now you can compare the unattended house with your unattended heart. You and I have abandoned our heart for years. And if we go by the Vedic scriptures then for many lifetimes. So, now our heart is full of dirt in the form of so many anarthas (or impurities).

Some of the anarthas we may see and many we may not be able to see because it is lying deep with the heart and is in dormant state. Also, how thick these impurities are that also we may not know.

So, when we begin the process of dusting our heart of the impurities by chanting the names of Krishna then many unseen impurities we begin to see. Impurities lying at the bottom of our heart come to the surface.

Just like when the churning of the milk ocean started ferocious creatures and poisonous substance which were deep in the ocean started coming out. This is one of the important lessons we learin from the churning of milk ocean pastime. But as the devtas continued churning the ocean to get the nectar similarly we will have to continue churning our heart by chanting the names of Krishna.

Just as the devtas were disturbed by unwated subsntace coming out of the ocean, similarly initially, we will also be agitated as the impurties start churning in our heart.

Continuously chant with determination

At that time, we need patience and strong faith in the holy name. During that agitating phase, if with dogged determination, we continue chanting the names of Krishna then our heart will eventually get cleansed of all the impurities which is making our life miserable.

But chanting has to be done daily and with complete focus. Srila Prabhupada says that we should chant at least 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily.

If we do so, then we will be successful in fighting with our anarthas which are our real enemy. They have been in control of our lives for years so they will not give up their dominion so easily. They will fight tooth and nail, will create many obstacles and will throw many challenges.

Starve the inner enemies

But we have to tolerate these onslaughts with great determination and continue chanting sincerely.

While practicing mantra meditation we also have to make sure that we do not indulge in any activities which may give strength to our inner enemies.

This is why scriptures ask us to follow the four – regulative principles of no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit sex including watching pornography.  

These wrong indulgences will stunt our spiritual progress and bind us to this miserable material world.  As we start starving the enemies and continue chanting enthusiastically the enemies become weaker day by day.

Krishna loves a sincere devotee

Our effort and sincerity will attract the mercy of the munificent Lord. Krishna is always ready to help us in our devotional endeavour. In fact, he personally takes the responsibility of helping his sincere devotees.

He supplies us with all necessary intelligence and guidance which will help us to come closer to Him.

This he confirms in Bhagavad Gita 9.22, “But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have”.  

And once Lord gets pleased with our efforts then he would drive away these enemies from our life forever. 

Devotees are always victorious

During the churning of the ocean also in spite of facing all the hardships, demigods and demons continued working tirelessly for the nectar.

And finally Dhanvantari appeared with the pot of nectar. Upon seeing the pot, the crooked demons snatched it immediately. They did not want the demigods to have even a drop of the nectar.

But the demigods were under the protection of Lord Vishnu. And those who take shelter of the Lord never ever get deprived of anything auspicious. The Lord of the Universe personally took the responsibility of delivering the nectar to the demigods.

He took a beautiful feminine form of Mohini Murti and tricked the demons. The lusty demons got captivated by Her extraordinary beauty and readily handed the invaluable container to Mohini Murti.

She then cleverly distributed the nectar to the demigods and the demons were left dumbfounded. They could not do anything.  It is verily said that if we are with the Lord then there is no chance of us ever getting defeated or cheated.  

The demigods after drinking the ambrosia and taking complete shelter of the Lord vanquished the demons and emerged victorious.

Never give up Krishna’s shelter, if you want Krishna’s nectar

Churning of the milk ocean or Samudra manthan teaches many invaluable lessons to a devotee and one of that is that we should be determined not to leave shelter of Krishna.

So, if we want to vanquish our inner demon our anarthas then we should always take shelter of God because the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the best friend and well-wisher of the three worlds (Srimad Bhagavatam 8.9.27).

In order to take shelter of God, we should always chant the names of God like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu assures us that if we chant the names of Krishna constantly then our heart will be cleansed of all the impurities – ceto darpana marjanam.

Churning of the milk ocean pastime of Lord or Samudra manthan has many important lessons for the devotees of Krishna. If we apply it in our devotional journey then we will surely become successful in our spiritual life.

If you want Krishna’s nectar, then never give up Krishna’s shelter whatever may be the situations and circumstances.

Why to always pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for protection?

Lord Narasimhadeva protects all the devotees who takes his shelter. Other than Lord Narasimhadeva no one can give us complete protection in this world. So, we should always pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for protection. Lord Narasimhadeva is plenary expansion of Lord Krishna. To protect his dear devotee Prahlada, the Supreme Lord Krishna appeared as Lord Narasimhadeva. He had the form of half man, half lion.

His ferocious form was instilling fear in the hearts of all. Just like a father begins seething in anger seeing someone harming his child. Similarly, Lord Narasimhadeva was extremely angry because Hiranyakashipu had tried to destroy Prahlad. 

Lord Narasimhadeva appears to give joy to Prahlada

In few moments, he ripped apart the demon to pieces. He pulled out the intestine of the ruthless king and wore it as a garland. His hands, nails and mane were soaked in blood. With bloodthirsty eyes he looked around challenging anyone who had dared to inflict pain upon Prahlada.  The greatest of the personalities like Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and even his wife Goddess Lakshmi feared to go in front of him.

But he was giving pleasure (āhlāda) to Prahlada: prahlāda āhlāda-dāyine. As soon as Lord Narasimhadeva saw little innocent Prahlada he was pacified. When Prahlada started offering prayers, the Lord of the Universe became extremely pleased. He started showering unlimited blessings upon his dear devotee.

The Supreme Lord had appeared at the request of Prahlada and to show to people like us that he is always there for us. He gives complete protection to those who seeks his shelter. Even before he appeared from the pillar, he was protecting Prahlada from all the dangers. Prahlada was aware about Lord’s unconditional love towards all the living beings who are his own children.

Prahlada says – In any danger pray to Lord Narasimhadeva

The Supreme Lord creates the world, controls the world, maintains the world, and pervades the world. He is present everywhere. If we look for him within our heart, we will see him there too.

Prahlada saw him everywhere – within his heart and outside as well. So, he was free from all fear, free from all anxieties. He had complete faith that Lord Narasimhadeva will protect him because he had taken complete shelter of the Lord. To save himself from the wrath of his demoniac father he did not take shelter of anything material. Because all material solution simply aggravates the problem.

Prahlada explains it, “Although there are many remedies by which to get out of miserable life, any such remedies in the material world are more miserable than the miseries themselves. Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.17

Prahlada gives us a message too. If we are in any danger, we should immediately pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for protection.

Father prays to Lord Narasimhadeva to save his daughter

Sometimes when we read these pastimes of the Lord then it does not look relevant to us. We think that these pastimes happened thousands of years ago and in today’s time it is not applicable. We have doubt in our mind, “Will the lord appear similarly from pillar as he appeared to protect Prahlada.” But if we look around, we would find that there are many devotees who have experienced the mercy of the Lord.

One of the incidents which is widely discussed among the devotee community in ISKCON is of a little girl who was saved by Lord Narasimhadev. The girl was very small may be 2-3 years old. Once she went with her father to the fields. While her father had some work to do, the girl started playing nearby.

While playing she went on the road. When his father looked around, he did not find her. To his utter dismay, he saw his daughter almost on the middle of the road.  It was highway so heavy vehicles plied there.

He saw a big truck at a very high-speed coming towards the girl. He was quite far from her. The girl was too small to understand anything. Since the truck was speeding so for the driver to immediately apply the brakes would have been risky.

Father expected the worst. He folded his hands and started praying to Lord Narasimhadev to save his child. He closed his eyes because he did not want to see that gruesome moment. After few frightful moments he opened his eyes. His heart was pounding , eyes were filled with tears and his body was shivering. With great fear he looked towards the road.

Lord Narasimhadeva appears to protect the little girl from the jaws of death

And surprisingly he saw the little girl standing by the side of the road!

The way the truck was approaching towards the child, it would have crushed even a grown-up person. He ran towards her and picked her up in his harms, “Are you alright? How you came here? How did you save yourself from the speeding truck?”

The little girl said, “I am fine. As that big thing was coming towards me a man who had head of a lion came in front of me, picked me up and put me here.”

The man could not believe her words. She might have heard some story and that is what she is saying now. But he saw something unusual. On the girl’s shoulder there were some marks.  He was confused. He decided to take the girl to a doctor.

The doctor examined the girl and said that these marks are rather strange. These are not of any humans. But looks like that of a lion. Father did not say anything much. But within the core of his heart, he knew that it was Lord Narasimhadev who merciful appeared to save his little daughter. He thanked the Lord again and again.  

Always pray to Lord Narasimhadeva for complete protection

When devotees in Mayapur were attacked by miscreants then devotees asked Srila Prabhupada how they can protect themselves from these ruffians. Srila Prabhupada asked them to install the deity of Lord Narasimhadeva and worship him with love.  The devotees installed the beautiful deity of Lord Narasimhadeva in Iskcon Mayapur temple and began worshipping him.  And the Lord has been protecting the devotees in Mayapur from all difficult situations.

In all the Iskcon temples of the world, Narasima arati is daily sung in the morning and in the evening. Devotees also worship Lord Narasimhadev at home and daily sing Narasimha arati. This beautiful prayer has been written by Vyasdeva which glorifies the wonderful qualities of the Lord.

In this world there are miseries at every step – padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58). And if we want to save ourselves from all these sufferings then we should always remain under the shelter of Lord Nrsimhadeava. Let us bow down at his lotus feet again and again. We should offer him our heartful prayers. And let us bathe him with our tears of love. He is our only saviour. Other than him no one can protect us.

ugram viram maha-vishnum

jvalantam sarvato mukham

nrisimham bhishanam bhadram

mrityur mrityum namamy aham

Prayers to Lord Narasimhadeva

“I bow down to Lord Narasimha who is ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every side. He is terrific, auspicious and the death of death personified.”

Mid – air crisis

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