Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 21, No. 23
By Krishna Kripa Das
(Week 23: June 4–June 10, 2025)
New York City
(Sent from New York City on June 14, 2025)
Where I Went and What I Did
The twenty-third week of 2025, I spent at ISKCON NYC in Brooklyn, serving Rama Raya Prabhu’s NYC Harinam program by chanting Hare Krishna and distributing Ratha-yatra flyers for three or four hours each day. On Sunday I did a walking harinama over the Brooklyn Bridge with Harinamananda and Nitai Pada Kamala and devotees from ISKCON NYC.
Many passersby participated. People would start to dance, seeing us in the distance. It was one of the more memorable Brooklyn Bridge harinamas.
I share a quote from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam and quotes from several of his letters. I share quotes from Sri Caitanya-bhagavata by Vrindavana Dasa Thakura and its commentary by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and from Prabhupada Nectar by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I share notes on classes by Jayadvaita, Radhanath, and Bhakti Sarvajna Gauranga Swamis and from Pancharatna, Hansarupa, and Rama Raya Prabhus. I share a realization about prasadam from a regular attender at our Sunday and Tuesday programs.
Many, many thanks to Bhaktan Deva for the gift of his practically unused iPhone 8. I thank Ahaituka Prema Prabhu and Bhaktan Deva for the videos and photos of NYC Harinam.
Itinerary
May 7–June 16: NYC Harinam
June 17–August 19: Paris
– June 22: Paris Ratha-yatra
– July 11: Amsterdam harinama
– July 12: Amsterdam Ratha-yatra
– July 13: Holland harinama
August 20: London harinama
August 21–22: Liverpool harinamas
August 23: Liverpool Ratha-yatra
August 24: Manchester harinama
August 25: London harinama and flight to New York
Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City
Hadai Prana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/WltqII8lYjI):
While Hadai Prana Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna passersby began dancing with devotees (https://youtu.be/Mewd4OZdf2c):
At one point a father danced with his kid on his shoulders (https://youtu.be/-0jd-vzmdQo):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Columbus Circle, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/Wq0gdTMZvPY):
Later passersby danced with some devotees (https://youtu.be/-EhHxA3m2uU):
Harinarayana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Times Square Kirtan Festival, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/1tThYj-RYec):
Passersby also danced with devotees (https://youtu.be/R5rjdYrQmuw):
Braja Sakhi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Times Square Kirtan Festival, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/Li_ZawgsVUE):
At our Times Square Kirtan Festival George asked the date of our big summer festival, now just one week away, so I gave him the flyer.
He showed me his cell phone, with a photo from last year’s cart as the background image.
He also showed me this nice photo of Vraja Mohan Prabhu on the cart, which reminded him of Arjuna on the battlefield. He told me he is friends with Prabhu, who periodically joined us on NYC Harinam before moving to Sarasota.
Lisa of southeastern Florida was happy to encounter our Times Square Kirtan Festival. She attends the kirtans of Laksmi Nrsimha Prabhu, who was our temple president in New York City in 1979. She also organizes kirtans as well.
She sat on a chair and played the shakers and chanted the response with us for a while.
After playing the shakers I offer them, people often accept the invitations or “On Chanting Hare Krishna” pamphlets, but these young Algerian women were special.
While playing the shakers, they saw the book table, and rushed over to it, shakers in hand.
Jagadisa Prabhu, formerly known as Jackson at the Gainesville Krishna House, sold one of them two books and commented on how sincere they were.
Keshava Madhava chants Hare Krishna at Times Square Kirtan Festival, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/I7SlNIxAZUQ):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Times Square Kirtan Festival, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/Fg1yT7fVFlA):
Keshava Madhava chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON NYC Jagannath Snana Yatra (https://youtu.be/NF0tYZYvEiA):
Harinamananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on the C train and at High St. / Brooklyn Bridge subway station (https://youtube.com/shorts/c1i5yiiuSjg):
Harinamananda Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna on the Brooklyn Bridge, and I took five video clips of all the people dancing with us (https://youtu.be/qdzYJEbVjTo):
(https://youtu.be/_0OiVnwb6YI):
(https://youtube.com/shorts/uENvIzEmF6s):
(https://youtube.com/shorts/gUfUd8-Om1w):
(https://youtube.com/shorts/0Ypx0dtj79Y):
When my phone storage was practically full, I started taking photos of those who danced with the devotees:
After crossing the bridge, we passed a cafe en route to the Chambers Street subway station, and a woman danced to our music. A visiting devotee sold two books to her and her friends.
Here I chant Hare Krishna at Battery Park (https://youtube.com/shorts/q8zDIQaTXl8):
Kissen chants Hare Krishna in Battery Park (https://youtu.be/ag4sYPpWDPk):
Laukik chants Hare Krishna in Battery Park (https://youtu.be/yJTHY5LAzJs):
Bhakti Sarvajna Govinda Swami chants Hare Krishna at Battery Park (https://youtu.be/1XN8yGeAmug):
Nitai Pada Kamala Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Battery Park (https://youtu.be/1NZVLFu0hzY):
Veda Priya Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Battery Park (https://youtu.be/bu3j6WGJmaY):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Battery Park (https://youtu.be/244TjK8d_Rg):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Battery Park (https://youtube.com/shorts/2ykUMjtBUT0):
Here I chant Hare Krishna at Union Square Park (https://youtube.com/shorts/HuxjbsX5nr8):
Sevika Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Union Square Park (https://youtu.be/Op8_PKQU16c):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square Park, and passersby dance with devotees (https://youtu.be/rdzD555Kktw):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square Park by Bhaktan Deva (https://youtube.com/shorts/lt8pkaWP_lo):
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.7.41, purport:
“Cultivation of the knowledge in the Vedas, performance of sacrifice, and distribution of munificent charities all together cannot form even a part of the immunity from the pangs of material existence that is gained from devotional service.”
From a letter to sons and daughters on August 14, 1976:
“If you feel at all indebted to me, then you should preach vigorously like me. That is the proper way to repay me. Of course, no one can repay the debt to the spiritual master, but the spiritual master is very much pleased by such an attitude by the disciple.”
From a letter to Himavati on December 26, 1971:
“There is no question of using paper or plastic fruits and flowers for worshiping the Deities. If no fresh fruits or flowers are available, then you can decorate with some fresh leaves. You have seen our temples; nowhere do we use such things. . . . Outside the temple, you can use the plastic ornaments. But not for worship. For daily worship there must be fresh fruits, flowers, and leaves.”
From a letter to Satsvarupa on January 19, 1975:
“One who distinguishes a particular type of service as inferior or superior, he does not know the value of devotional service. It is all transcendental. Whatever item is suitable, that is accepted as very elevated. Just like Maharaja Pariksit. He simply listened to Sukadeva Gosvami. That is sravanam… . So any devotee executing any one of the nine items is transcendentally glorious. One devotee may be proud that his process of service is best. That is not inglorious. Everyone should feel proud of his particular type of devotional service. But that does not mean that other types of service are inferior. Everyone should feel proud of becoming a sincere servant of Krsna, but the pure devotee never minimizes the importance of other devotees. Krsna is the enjoyer of varieties of service. It is not stuck up with any particular type of service.”
From a letter to Sukadeva on November 14, 1973:
“Regarding the books from other Maths being circulated there, who is distributing? Who is sending these books? These Maths do not sell our books; why should we sell their books? Who has introduced these books? Let me know. These books should not at all be circulated in our society.”
From a letter to Pancadravida on January 4, 1975:
“Regarding sending men to Bangkok, let us see who is a spare man or who is having visa problems. But our policy as you know is not to import devotees but to make devotees out of the local men there. That is better.”
From a letter to Hridayananda Goswami on June 4, 1974:
“We want to firmly establish centers in South America. I fully agree that the centers should be as far as possible manned by men who are native to the country; that will make our position even stronger, just as in the U.S.A. all you men and women have managed.”
From letter to Bhakta dasa on May 7, 1975:
“Regarding your physical malady, you should do whatever is required to treat it properly—whatever is most practical.”
[I read this in the waiting room as I was having my stubbed toe X-rayed to see if it was broken, and I felt reassured that I made the correct decision.]
From a letter to Krishnanandini on April 8, 1975:
“Regarding Bhumata-devi dasi’s affliction, she should simply take the proper treatment. Make the best out of a bad bargain. This material body is a bad bargain because it is always miserable. So to make the best out of this bad bargain means to render devotional service in any circumstance. The dust from the lotus feet of the spiritual master is never to be used for material benefit. That is a great misconception. The best thing is that the girl tries her best to chant sixteen rounds daily and to follow all the rules and regulations even if she is afflicted with something, and in this way she will fully understand the mercy of Krsna and the spiritual master.”
From a letter to Revatinandana on November 14, 1973:
“Regarding the auto accident, just hold a condolence meeting for Raghava dasa Brahmacari and pray for his soul to Krsna for giving him a good chance for advancement in Krsna consciousness. Certainly Krsna will give him a good place to take birth where he can again begin in Krsna consciousness activities. That is sure. But we offer our condolences to a departed soul separated from the Vaiṣnavas. Do you know that there must be prasadam distributed? Three days after the demise of a Vaisnava a function should be held for offering the departed soul and all others prasadam. This is the system.”
[The above letter is especially significant as there is a lot of evidence that Raghava dasa Brahmacari became Ratnavali Devi Dasi of the UK Festival team in his next life. Thus Srila Prabhupada’s prediction of a good birth is right on the mark!]
Vrindavana Dasa Thakura:
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 19.5:
“They were constantly absorbed in love of God and had no external consciousness. They had no engagement other than the performance of sankirtana.”
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:
From Caitanya-bhagavata, Madhya 19.4, commentary:
“Sri Mahaprabhu is the source of complete ecstasy for devotees inclined to the service of the Lord. The conditioned souls are subjected to the threefold miseries of material existence. But since the liberated devotees of the Lord are filled with ecstasy in Krishna consciousness, they do not experience any material distress. Wherever the object of happiness is temporary and the living entities’ endeavors are imperfect there is a lack of complete ecstasy in Krishna consciousness. Experiencing the ecstasy of Krishna consciousness everywhere is perception of the living entities’ complete happiness.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
From Prabhupada Nectar:
From Chapter 2, Number 10:
“As Prabhupada replied to one devotee when asked whether the spiritual master was in the heart of the disciple, ‘Yes, if you let me enter.’”
From Chapter 2, Number 16:
“He [Prabhupada] liked the photo of himself on the back of the first Hare Krishna ‘Happening’ album. In that photo his hair seems to be standing on end and his visage is grave, penetrating, mystical. He said of that photo, ‘A swami should look philosophical.’”
“Dancing for Prabhupada always meant upraised arms and extended fingers, like the depiction of Gaura and Nitai. That was how he introduced dancing in his room at 26 Second Avenue, leading us around in a circle, showing how you put your left foot to the right side and how you sway back and forth with the arms always upraised. Kirtanananda called it ‘the Swami step.’ Once in Chicago he admonished boys who were twisting, disco style. Emphatically from the vyasasana he raised up his arms. He did it once, and when the dancers did not heed, he did it again: ‘Like this!’”
From Chapter 2, Number 20:
“The scene was Mayapur and Prabhupada was taking his morning walk on the roof of the residential building. Jayapataka Swami introduced Prabhupada to a prominent businessman who had come to visit from Calcutta.
“Speaking in English, Prabhupada greeted him pleasantly.
“‘I am pleased to see you,’ said Prabhupada. ‘Thank you for coming to Mayapur. So, what is your factory?’
“The businessman from Calcutta, a heavy-set man in an immaculate white dhoti, kurta, and vest, spoke in a loud voice.
“‘I manufacture glass,’ he said.
“‘Hmm,’ Prabhupada reflected. ‘So where does the glass come from?’
“The man was now walking beside Prabhupada, along with other devotees and friends, as they circumambulated the roof, talking and viewing the surrounding flatlands of Mayapur.
“‘It is from silicon,’ the man replied. ‘It is from sand.’
“‘Yes,’ said Prabhupada, ‘but who owns the sand?’
“The Calcutta man was not only an intelligent businessman, but he was pious and could understand what Bhaktivedanta Swami, as guru, was driving at. He said, ‘Oh, the sand comes from Bhagavan.’“Prabhupada replied quickly, ‘Oh, you are stealing from Bhagavan?’
“Prabhupada’s retort made everyone laugh—even the industrialist could not help but join in the laughter. After the quick exchange, the Calcutta businessman dropped toward the back of the group, and others came forward to ask Prabhupada their philosophical questions. Prabhupada’s morning walks were often this way, fragmented conversations with different guests and devotees who would come forward and ask Prabhupada some query. He would answer one after another, sometimes developing different themes or going from one theme to another. After walking for about half an hour, the industrialist again moved to the front for another round of questions with Prabhupada. He had been considering what Prabhupada had said and he felt a little guilty.
“‘Swamiji,’ the man offered, ‘although I may be taking from Bhagavan, but I am giving in charity also.’
“Prabhupada smiled and replied, ‘Oh, you are just a little thief.’ Again everyone on the walk laughed at Prabhupada’s last word on the subject.”
From Chapter 2, Number 21:
“A young Californian man, David Shapiro, became attracted to Prabhupada through his books and through the devotees’ association. He then moved to the Los Angeles temple at a time when Prabhupada was visiting, but unfortunately, David’s mother was outraged that her grown-up son had chosen to become a Krishna conscious devotee. A journalist, she went on a letter-writing campaign against the Krishna consciousness movement. She wrote letters to the newspapers and also to government departments, complaining that her son was practicing too much renunciation in Krishna consciousness and she felt this was a mistreatment. David tried to pacify her, but he was not very good at it. Most of the time he was washing pots in the temple kitchen or going out on chanting parties downtown, and he didn’t remember or bother to phone his mother. The devotees in the temple didn’t help much when they sometimes forgot to pass on messages from his mother. As part of her letter-writing campaign, David’s mother also wrote letters to Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada replied to one of her letters, but she was not interested in any dialogue or consideration of her son’s spiritual benefit as described by Prabhupada. She just wanted her son to return.
“Sensing that the Los Angeles temple could get into trouble through this woman, the temple president asked David to leave the temple. Although David was a submissive devotee, he refused to leave and began to cry. He said, ‘I’m not initiated. I’ve been in this movement for a year, but I’m not initiated, so I don’t have a link to my spiritual master. How can I leave the temple without a link? I may never come back!’ Both the temple president and David were bewildered. Prabhupada was then informed how the boy had refused to leave and he called him to his room.“David came into Prabhupada’s quarters and bowed down before him while Prabhupada was taking prasadam.
“Prabhupada spoke mildly: ‘So you have been having some difficulty with your mother?’
“‘Yes, Srila Prabhupada.’
“‘That’s all right,’ said Prabhupada. ‘I’ve decided to initiate you.’ Right on the spot, without any of the usual, formal ceremony, Prabhupada gave David his new, spiritual name.“
‘Your name is now Nrsimhananda dasa. Is that all right?’“‘Yeah, that—’ David could hardly speak.
“Prabhupada continued, ‘I’m giving you this name, Nrsimhananda because through this name you will always be protected from your parents.’ Prabhupada then offered some prasadam from his plate to Nrsimhananda and said, ‘Now you can go home and stay there for some time. That will be all right. I think you can make vegetarian prasadam there?’
“‘Yes,’ said Nrsimhananda.
“‘So you can go for some time, and also come back,’ said Prabhupada. “Nrsimhananda understood Prabhupada’s desire, and he had faith that it would work.
“‘Thank you, Srila Prabhupada,’ he said and left.
“David Shapiro, now Nrsimhananda dasa Brahmacari, returned to his mother’s home. “Ten months later, when both son and mother had gained a more mature outlook about Krishna consciousness, Nrsimhananda rejoined Prabhupada’s movement, this time to stay.”
From Chapter 2, Number 23:
“As he [Prabhupada] passed his old neighborhood, he pointed out the house where he was raised as a child and the spot where he used to purchase kites. At the Govindaji temple, relatives came forward, embracing him and touching his feet. Old and young surrounded him, smiling and chatting in Bengali. Prabhupada then went before the Deity of Govinda, whom he had worshiped from the beginning of his life. ‘Practically everything I have done,’ he explained to his disciples, ‘is by the grace of Radha-Govinda.’ He recalled his original Ratha-yatras up and down Mahatma Gandhi Road and how his father paid for the festival. Prabhupada said that the same spirit he had imbibed here he was now carrying on throughout the world in Ratha-yatras and by establishing many Radha-Govindajis all over the world.”
From Chapter 2, Number 27:
“He was so kind to bring the accessible Krishna murti. What did we know? How could we succeed? But he did it, starting with Lord Jagannatha, then little Radha-Krishna in New York City.”
“Like the brahmana who called the Deity to witness, Prabhupada asked the Lord, and He agreed to come. On Prabhupada’s invitation, along with the sound of kirtana, Krishna was received in simple settings—in converted rooms, puja began for the Lord in rented houses in places such as Boston, St. Louis, Buffalo, and then in grand temples. Great acaryas of the past installed one Deity, their beloved Radha-Krishna, but Prabhupada worshiped dozens of Radha-Krishnas, and he traveled to see Them. He was the champion of Radha-Krishna, installing and distributing Radha-Krishna on every continent, again and again bathing, chanting, dressing, performing the installation.
Srila Prabhupada crouched before the Lord and sometimes he cried joyful tears at the darsana of the glowing Radha-Krishna. He noticed how They were being served and dressed, and he made a stern point, that we should never change things whimsically after he had left. It was transcendental and matter-of-fact to Srila Prabhupada that we must worship the Deity of Krishna. Of course we must do it, or how will we remain purified? And of course He is Krishna, with flute and three-curved form, with Radha beside Him. And of course we have to give Them our devotion! It was a matter of devotional fact: He will come when there are devotees and they will worship Him. Yet, is it not a great miracle? Prabhupada has brought Krishna—Krishna has agreed and the ex-mlecchas have agreed to accept Him, and they pray, ‘O Lord of the universe, by Prabhupada’s grace, kindly be visible unto me.’”
From Chapter 2, Number 29:
“An American disciple, had been causing considerable trouble for the devotee community because of his violent temper and almost all the devotees were apprehensive of his presence. Prabhupada heard different complaints and one day called the devotee before him.
“‘You sing so nicely,’ said Srila Prabhupada. ‘Why don’t you and your wife just travel all over the world, singing to attract people to Krishna consciousness?’
“Greatly encouraged, the devotee soon left Mayapur. On the authority of Srila Prabhupada, he walked off singing with his guitar. Although the sastras say that no one can know the mind of the acarya, and although Prabhupada never said that he had sent away a troublesome devotee by suggesting that he travel and sing, nevertheless most of the devotees in Mayapur could not help but appreciate how Prabhupada was masterfully solving problems.”
Jayadvaita Swami:
Although in the big cities everything is in season because it is in season somewhere and it is imported, although its usually not of the highest quality, it is better we offer what is grown locally, and still better if we grow it ourselves. We have some things growing on the roof. That is first class.
When Bhadra Prabhu was in charge of the kitchen in the New York temple, Srila Prabhupada told him everything should be revolutionary clean. He said, “By cleanliness you can attain bhava.” So if you want to know the secret to attain bhava, now you know! Spread it.
Srila Prabhupada said we just want from Krishna a certificate, “This man has done some service.” So here it appears that Govinda Dasi received such a certificate, being mentioned in this purport by Srila Prabhupada for her successfully growing tulasi in the West.
Why is tulasi so important? Krishna likes her. That’s all.
Tulasi is offered only to Vishnu-tattva, not Radharani and not the guru. You can put tulasi in Radharani’s hand for offering to Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada advised we give people tulasi seeds not tulasi plants.
With the hunter, Narada Muni did not advise establishing a deity, but to grow a tulasi plant and chant his mantra in front of her.
If you were late with Srila Prabhupada’s lunch, you would be chewed out, and if you were late with Tamal Krishna Goswami’s lunch you would be chewed out twice as much.
Being on time with offerings shows Krishna that we are serious.
Srila Prabhupada gave maximum importance to preaching. He said one person can stay back and take care of the deity, and everyone else should go out preaching.
Preaching is the most important part of deity worship. The pujaris can think: How can we get people to come and see the deity? How can we engage people in the service of the deity?
Although Ratha-yatra is all about the deity, still its main focus is preaching.
Ramesvara in a class declared that sankirtana is in the mood of the gopis because it brings people forward to serve Krishna. Devotees questioned Srila Prabhupada about this, and Srila Prabhupada said that he had spoken correctly.
Radhanath Swami:
Bathing the deities is not just a ritual. It can be the highest samadhi.
In Puri they bathe Jagannath with water from special wells.
Whose knows how to please Krishna more than Krishna? Radharani.
Lord Caitanya is Radharani teaching how to love Krishna and a very important part of that is the congregational chanting of the holy names.
Lord Caitanya comes to taste the love Radharani has for Krishna and to share it with the world.
To celebrate these festivals, like snana-yatra and Ratha-yatra, is an important part of Lord Caitanya’s teachings and example.
Just by hearing the glories of Lord Caitanya from Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, the emperor King Prataparuda surrendered his life to Him.
Srila Prabhupada was saying that when we hear The Nectar of Devotion with faith, we are directly in the presence of Rupa Goswami.
When we are absorbed in the congregational chanting of the holy name even now, we are in the personal associataion of Lord Caitanya and His associates.
Sivananda Sena did not only accommodate devotees. He also arranged Krishna-katha for them.
Lord Caitanya cleaned the Gundica temple meticulously because Lord Jagannatha was to reside there.
We cannot demand Krishna to come. We have to seriously cleanse our hearts.
I lived in Vrindavan in 1971, but I never saw Jagannath there. Radha Krishna and sometimes Gaura Nitai, but not Jagannath. Jagannath is in the mood of separation from Vrindavan, so you do not see Him there.
When I came to Bury Place, I saw Radha Londonisvara. But above them there was a shelf, with three forms on it. As I didn’t know about Jagannatha, I thought the London devotees had invented some deities to appeal to the psychedelic hippies. I was afraid to ask anyone about them. Later I learned about Jagannatha and realized I commit a big offense, which I think I am still suffering from.
The traditional date of snana-yatra is the date that Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra heard Rohini narrating the Vrindavan pastimes and experienced maha-bhava and originally manifest the forms as you see as the Jagannath deities.
Jagannatha is Krishna crying for Radha, and Lord Caitanya is Radha crying for Krishna.
Pancharatna Prabhu:
The early stages of yoga are meant to put you in a position to meditate.
We should do the meditation on the form of Krishna, which Narada recommends to Dhruva, on the name of Krishna.
Our challenge is to concentrate on the name of the Lord with the same enthusiasm that Dhruva meditated on the form of the Lord.
We can visually appreciate the beauty in nature as the smile of the Lord.
Srila Prabhupada said we should see the flowers as the smiling of Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada advises we practice seeing Krishna in the taste of water.
We should aspire for raganuga-bhakti.
Hansarupa Prabhu:
The Bible rejects graven images, but is not the form of Jesus on a cross a graven image?
Is there anyone who thinks he is not a neophyte? I think we all have that humility.
We should not think we do not need the meditation on the deity form.
In Mayapur, if there is some deviation, one is assigned to washing the pots for a certain length of time. A repentent attitude must be there.
It is said the soul who falls from the spiritual world first takes birth as Lord Brahma. Imagine this devotee or that devotee as Lord Brahma.
In the armed services, in part of the training you have to do your service without sleep for 72 hours.
Kali-yuga is progressing. If you are not progressing, you will be overwhelmed.
Bhakti Sarvajna Gauranga Swami:
We may have some material desires, but we do not want a kingdom greater than the material universe like Dhruva Maharaja did.
We see here the idea of letting non-brahmanas be initiated, which Lord Caitanya promoted, was there back in the time of Dhruva.
The early Christian missionaries would accuse the Hindus they met of worshiping idols. They would put the deities in buckets of water, and when the deities would sink, the Christians would say, “How can this be God? He cannot save Himself from drowning!”
People from India are naturally attracted to different items of bhakti, but if they conclude that only Indians can really practice bhakti and they do not encourage others, then their birth can actually be an impediment.
We have to be careful not to add additional rules and regulations to the practice of bhakti, then it will be harder for people to take it up, and they will be discouraged. We should not imagine that we have a better program than our founder-acarya, Srila Prabhupada.
Although by material calculations, Dhruva’s having material desires and being a non-brahmana were disadvantages, by his attachment to Narada Muni and his strict following of his instructions, these were overcome.
Rama Raya Prabhu:
You could only get close to Srila Prabhupada if you took up the preaching mission and you used your own ingenuity to execute it.
Older Hispanic lady who regularly attends the Sunday and Tuesday programs:
You know how the mother bird feeds the baby birds, with food from its own mouth. Krishna is like that mother bird, and we are like the little birds that He is feeding with food from His own mouth.
-----
Different verses give us clues how to make the practice of devotional service easier for us. I learned this verse when I was trying to blow the conch shell for guru-puja. I was in Philadelphia at the time, and Bhurijana Prabhu, who was present there, taught me this verse:
kathañcana smrte yasmin
vismrte viparitam syat
sri-caitanyam namami tam
“Things that are very difficult to do become easy to execute if one somehow or other simply remembers Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But if one does not remember Him, even easy things become very difficult. To this Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu I offer my respectful obeisances.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 14.1)
May you always remember Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
