Diary
of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 9, No. 23
By Krishna-kripa das
(December 2013, part one)
By Krishna-kripa das
(December 2013, part one)
Gainesville,
Tallahassee, Jacksonville, New York City
(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on December 31, 2013)
(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on December 31, 2013)
Where
I Went and What I Did
I
chanted at Krishna Lunch in Gainesville for the first week of
December. Also during that week, several Krishna House devotees and I
went to do harinama
and
book distribution on Wednesday in Jacksonville at the Art Walk and on
Friday in Tallahassee at First Friday. Thursday was the interfaith
progressive dinner, so it was a packed week. I stayed in Tallahassee
and chanted the next four days there, attending the Sunday feast program and Garuda Prabhu’s Monday yoga class, and having a Bhagavad-gita
class
of my own. Then I was off to Jacksonville for two days of chanting at
the University of North Florida and speaking at the final meeting of
their Krishna Club on spiritual pleasure. Then I traveled to New York
City to join Rama Raya Prabhu’s harinama
party
and chant for nearly six hours each day.
In
this particular issue I have many great realizations from a variety
of senior devotees I met in my travels. In addition to quotes from
Srila Prabhupada’s books and Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami’s blog, I
have notes from classes in Gainesville by visiting guests Dravida
Prabhu and Malati Devi, and notes from classes in New York by
Jayadvaita Swami and Krishna Kshetra Prabhu. I also have realizations
from the Krishna House devotees in Gainesville from our leader,
Kalakantha Prabhu, down to some of the newest devotees. Also there are some quotes from articles in the March / April 2014 Back to Godhead magazine.
Thanks to Lauren Stewart for the photos of me and her dog.
Thanks to Lauren Stewart for the photos of me and her dog.
Itinerary
December
31–January 5 - New York City
January
6 - Tampa
January
7–9 - Gainesville, Florida
January
10–12 - Houston
January
13–February 7 - Gainesville, Florida
February
8–11 - Tallahassee
February
12–13 - Jacksonville, Florida
February
14–February 19 - Gainesville, Florida
February
20 - Orlando and Philadelphia
February
21–24 - Dublin, Ireland
February
25 - Mumbai
February
26 - on a train between Mumbai and Howrah
February
27–April 14 - Mayapur
April
16 - Mumbai
April
17 - Dublin, Ireland
April
27 - Kings Day, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May–July
(first two-thirds) – The North of England, Birmingham 24-hour
kirtana, London Ratha-yatra, Stonehenge Solstice Festival
July
(last third)–August (first two-thirds) – Baltic Summer Festival,
Polish Woodstock, Czech Woodstock
August
(last third)–September (first half) – The North of England
September
(rest) – New York
Amala Harinama and his wife, Nadiya, who came for the Festival of the Holy Name, kindly chanted at Krishna Lunch on the next Monday, and lots of others joined them.
Classes
at University of Florida ended Wednesday, and the Catholics did a
mass on the green, so we had to chant quietly for fifteen minutes.
They had a sign to inform people of their event:
The
part about the blessings for exams reminded me of Indians students
who show up at our temples in increased numbers at finals time.
Krishna acknowledges such devotion in the Gita,
and
praises those people having it as magnanimous, though not on the
level of pure devotees.
I
love having so many people to do devotional service with as at
Krishna House. Just see how many come for the evening kirtana!
And
that is just a third of those at the morning one.
Devotees
from Krishna House in Gainesville joined locals, Tulasirani dd and
Bhakta Dorian, and chanted and distributed books at the Jacksonville
Art Walk on the first Wednesday of the month, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Many people took books and many people danced with us, often holding
their books.
In fact, I had never in my life seen so many people
dancing with books in their hands.
There were even people who danced
with a book in one hand and a tambourine in the other!
Also in addition to getting the books, many were curious enough to read a few pages on the spot. In this picture below, three people are reading books. One has her drink and her book resting on her skateboard as a table.
I had just one invitation for our programs at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and I gave it to three friends who spent half an hour dancing with us.
Also in addition to getting the books, many were curious enough to read a few pages on the spot. In this picture below, three people are reading books. One has her drink and her book resting on her skateboard as a table.
I had just one invitation for our programs at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and I gave it to three friends who spent half an hour dancing with us.
They
were very happy to learn of the local programs.
Natalie,
one young lady, who had Srila Prabhupada’s books from before and
who danced with us at least twice, and who plays the tambourine in the photo below, was also happy to learn of the
local programs.
She also said she was going to New York City for part
of the winter break, and I gave her my email and promised to tell her
of our programs there.
The guy on the right played the drum for quite some time.
The guy on the right played the drum for quite some time.
Strange
Sights: Things You Don’t See Every Day
I
have never heard of a connection between bowling and the Jewish
holiday, Chanukah, have you?
French
toast, because it traditionally has eggs in it, is not something I
encountered in my thirty years as a Krishna devotee, but Bhakta Jon
made it for the Krishna House breakfast, and it was great.
On
the way back from Jacksonville for the Art Walk, we passed a guy
shaving as he drove his car. Shaving is understood to be a dirty
operation, and strict Hare Krishnas take a shower afterward so it was
funny for me to see this guy shaving on the way to work. It is also
an illustration of how passionate we have become, being so busy we
have no other time to shave!
I
also have a couple more dog conscious photos.
Often
you see someone walking a dog, and occasionally two, but more than
two is rare. In Gainesville there is this guy who walks six dogs at
once. It is said he gets paid to do it, and that the City of
Gainesville once tried to close him down, but apparently without
success.
I
was worried that pet pampering had reached a new level till the owner
explained the boots protect the dog’s feet from the salt used to melt
the winter ice.
The
Interfaith Progressive Dinner is an event organized by the University
of Florida chaplains to promote the same kind of friendship between
followers of the different religions on campus that the chaplains
have among themselves.
We
increased this year by doing harinama
on
the way to Hillel where the interfaith progressive dinner started. We
did not want to do it between the different churches because that
might be seen as too dominating. At Hillel I talked to a rabbi named
Gail about psalms praising the name of the Lord. She suggested in
different psalms, different words may be used to indicate the holy
name, something to research. I also met the rabbi who told me two
years ago that there are seventy-two names for God in the Jewish
Kabbalah. I made a sweet for the event, carob coconut almond
burfi,
so we would have an eggless dessert, because the first year of the
event we had to go without.
When I went around the hall at the end of the evening to distribute the extra sweets, many people took more, and a couple people from other traditions showed me they already had a stash of them to take home! The sweet always had a lot of sugar in it, and this time when I doubled the recipe I accidentally quadrupled the sugar, so it was even sweeter than usual!
When I went around the hall at the end of the evening to distribute the extra sweets, many people took more, and a couple people from other traditions showed me they already had a stash of them to take home! The sweet always had a lot of sugar in it, and this time when I doubled the recipe I accidentally quadrupled the sugar, so it was even sweeter than usual!
Kalakantha
Prabhu and the rabbi who told me about the holy names in the Kabbalah
did a musical piece for entertainment that was sung to the tune from
the musical Fiddler
on the Roof, called
“If I Were a Rich Man.” It was very humorous. I do not know if
anyone took a video of it. Here are the lyrics, but of course, it was
much better to see it live:
“Rabbi:
If I was a Krishna, Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Bol!
All day long I’d shake a tambourine, never feel a bit of guilt.
I’d study from the Gita, Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Bol!
I would live as simply as can be, gobbling my vegetables and milk.
“Krishna: If I was a rabbi, yada yada yada yada yada yada oy vey,
All day long I’d bless my fellow Jews, telling them how to behave.
I’d study from the Torah, yada yada yada yada yada yada oy vey
Everyone would give me some respect. Best of all I wouldn’t have to shave.
“Rabbi: I’d have a comfy mattress up in the ashram, perfect for standing on my head. Reincarnation is fine if your mom’s a Jew.
Krishna: I’d have a great big building down by the campus, a budget that’s never in the red;
Instead of selling lunches I’d get dues!
“Rabbi: If you were a rabbi, yada yada yada yada yada yada oy vey,
You would have to eat gefilte fish.
Krishna: But I’m a vegetarian!
Rabbi: Tough!
“Krishna: Well, if you were a Krishna, hari hari hari hari hari hari hari om.
Every day you’d get up before dawn.
Rabbi: Thank you, but I think I’m sleeping in.
“(Together)
There are many paths to the Divine,
Yours is good, but not as good as mine.
Though you’re part of God’s eternal plan,
Thank you, I will stay right where I am.”
All day long I’d shake a tambourine, never feel a bit of guilt.
I’d study from the Gita, Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Hari Bol!
I would live as simply as can be, gobbling my vegetables and milk.
“Krishna: If I was a rabbi, yada yada yada yada yada yada oy vey,
All day long I’d bless my fellow Jews, telling them how to behave.
I’d study from the Torah, yada yada yada yada yada yada oy vey
Everyone would give me some respect. Best of all I wouldn’t have to shave.
“Rabbi: I’d have a comfy mattress up in the ashram, perfect for standing on my head. Reincarnation is fine if your mom’s a Jew.
Krishna: I’d have a great big building down by the campus, a budget that’s never in the red;
Instead of selling lunches I’d get dues!
“Rabbi: If you were a rabbi, yada yada yada yada yada yada oy vey,
You would have to eat gefilte fish.
Krishna: But I’m a vegetarian!
Rabbi: Tough!
“Krishna: Well, if you were a Krishna, hari hari hari hari hari hari hari om.
Every day you’d get up before dawn.
Rabbi: Thank you, but I think I’m sleeping in.
“(Together)
There are many paths to the Divine,
Yours is good, but not as good as mine.
Though you’re part of God’s eternal plan,
Thank you, I will stay right where I am.”
Ekendra
Prabhu also did a very entertaining musical contribution.
A
Mormon choir was supposed to sing, but they did not show up, and
Tulasi-priya dd sang some very nice kirtana,
accompanied
by her husband, Ekendra Prabhu,
and
I passed out my business card which has the mantra on the back so
people could sing along. Afterward I noticed the people did not
leave the cards behind. I am glad I got to participate again in the
dinner this year, after missing it last year.
Tallahassee
Harinamas
First
Friday was slower than usual. Perhaps it was because of the end of
the semester. The weather was terrific. Even at 10 p.m., although it
was December, we did not need to wear a sweater over our
short-sleeved shirts. Still there were some nice people and several
enthusiastic dancers.
I
gave my card to three or four people and asked them to email me about
our programs in Tallahassee.
I
chanted by myself for three hours to, from, and at the Tallahassee
Winter Festival. People became purified by hearing the holy name, and
I became purified by chanting. I chanted for three hours, which is my
usual daily commitment. There were a few positive responses and just
one negative criticism. The several policemen who I saw did not try
to restrict me, although I was in a market area.
I
chanted at Lake Ella on a beautiful Sunday with the temperature in the
mid 70s (low 20s C). None of the three people who I had hoped to come
were there to join me, but Danny, who had come to Gita
class
sometimes, sang with me for about forty-five minutes, intently
meditating on the mantra. Several people took cookies and invitations
to the restaurant and college lunch program. I met Chris and Randy,
who remembered me from Garuda Prabhu’s yoga classes.
One
very shaggy Old English Sheepdog came up and sat at my feet for ten
minutes as I chanted Hare Krishna at my book table behind the main
library at Florida State University.
I generally do not pet or talk to the dogs, so they usually are not very interested in me, but this one appeared just to like the kirtana. Lauren, the owner of the dog, who she affectionately called Rascal, sat down nearby and got out her computer and began studying while the dog relished the kirtana. Lauren studied for an hour or so as the dog investigated other features of the grassy area in back of the library before returning to listen to some more kirtana.
I gave Lauren my card and suggested that she chant Hare Krishna to the dog or download some kirtanas from Krishna.com and play them. Although the dog was named Rascal, in reality, he was one of the most favorable dogs I have encountered this life. When I thanked Lauren for the photos, I sent her a link of some Bada Haridas Prabhu’s kirtanas, and she promised to play them for her dog. Lauren just completed her degree in math, and hopes to study to become a yoga teacher in the beginning of the new year.
I generally do not pet or talk to the dogs, so they usually are not very interested in me, but this one appeared just to like the kirtana. Lauren, the owner of the dog, who she affectionately called Rascal, sat down nearby and got out her computer and began studying while the dog relished the kirtana. Lauren studied for an hour or so as the dog investigated other features of the grassy area in back of the library before returning to listen to some more kirtana.
I gave Lauren my card and suggested that she chant Hare Krishna to the dog or download some kirtanas from Krishna.com and play them. Although the dog was named Rascal, in reality, he was one of the most favorable dogs I have encountered this life. When I thanked Lauren for the photos, I sent her a link of some Bada Haridas Prabhu’s kirtanas, and she promised to play them for her dog. Lauren just completed her degree in math, and hopes to study to become a yoga teacher in the beginning of the new year.
I
was happy to hear of a bhajana
[devotional song] evening on the first Sunday feast of the month in Tallahassee,
and to witness the attendance of new westerners as well, some who are
friends of Garuda.
Danny
came to our Tuesday Gita
class
after his exam, and one boy I met on the campus that very day also
came and chanted in the half-hour kirtanas
before
and after the class.
It
was surprising to me that Danny, although committed to the path of
Buddhism to the extent of accepting the vow of Bodhisattva, was the
person who participated more than any other in my harinamas
and
Gita
class
in Tallahassee.
Jacksonville
Krishna Outreach
I
was happy that Tulasirani dd and Bhakta Dorian joined me to chant on
the campus at University of North Florida on Wednesday, and Ekendra
and Tulasi-priya Prabhus and Bhakta Dorian chanted with me there on
Thursday.
Krishna
Club was lively, with Tulasi-priya dd singing, Ekendra Prabhu
drumming, lots of people singing the response, and a few dancing.
I gave a
lecture on spiritual pleasure that several people appreciated. It is
nice to see we have some real regulars there, some who have been
coming for over a year and a half to the weekly meetings.
Harinamas
in New York City
Because
of the cold weather, we did harinama
in
the subway
stations much
of time, either at Delancey Street, Grand Central Station, Times
Square,
or most commonly Union Square.
At
Delancey Street station we were near the uptown “F” train
underneath a colorful mural.
At Times Square, we were just at the top of the steps leading down to the “7” train.
A man and a girl played instruments.
When we were outside, because of congestion at Union Square with both the Christmas Market and the Green Market, we would go to Washington Square Park instead.
Rama Raya Prabhu likes idea of singing Hare Krishna to popular Christmas tunes like “Jingle Bells.” None of the other kirtana leaders really followed his example, except for the newest one, Alice, who sings Hare Krishna to “Jingle Bells” at the Union Square subway station in the video below:
Not as many people stop when we are in the subway stations as when we were outside at Union Square, but still there were some pleasant interactions.
Srila
Prabhupada:
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
3.1.16, purport:
“A
devotee is always in a renounced temperament because the worldly
attractions can never satisfy him.”
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
7.2.34, purport:
“I
have seen the wife of a medical practitioner voluntarily accept death
immediately when her husband died. Both the husband and wife were
taken in procession in the mourning cart.”
Comment
on above: How did she die? Obviously it was not by entering the
funeral pyre as some would do in the past. Anyone know?
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
7.2.38, purport:
“The
Lord says, sarva-dharman
parityajya mam ekam saraṇam vraja:
[Bg. 18.66] ʻGive
up all other duties and simply surrender unto Me.ʼ
One who does not abide by the orders of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead is given the facility to enjoy this material world. Instead
of restricting him, the Lord gives the conditioned soul the
opportunity to enjoy so that by mature experience, after many, many
births (bahunam
janmanam ante [Bg.
7.19]), he will understand that surrender to the lotus feet of
Vasudeva is the only duty of all living beings.”
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
7.2.41, purport:
“We
should have firm faith that the Lord is supreme and that if we
surrender to Him, He will take charge of us and indicate how we can
get out of material life and return home, back to Godhead. Without
such surrender, one is obliged to accept a certain type of body
according to his karma, sometimes as an animal, sometimes a
demigod and so on. Although the body is obtained and lost in due
course of time, the spirit soul does not actually mix with the body,
but is subjugated by the particular modes of nature with which he is
sinfully associated. Spiritual education changes one’s
consciousness so that one simply carries out the orders of the
Supreme Lord and becomes free from the
influence
of the modes of material nature.”
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
7.2.56, purport:
“Kali-yuga,
however, is so degraded that a father and mother even kill their
children in the womb on the plea of their scientific knowledge that
within the womb the child has no life. Prestigious medical
practitioners give this opinion, and therefore the father and mother
of this day kill their children within the womb. How degraded human
society has become! Their scientific knowledge is so advanced that
they think that within the egg and the embryo there is no life. Now
these so-called scientists are receiving Nobel Prizes for advancing
the theory of chemical evolution. But if chemical combinations are
the source of life, why don’t the scientists manufacture something
like an egg through chemistry and put it in an incubator so that a
chicken will come out? What is their answer? With their scientific
knowledge they are unable to create even an egg. Such scientists are
described in Bhagavad-gita as mayayapahrita jnanah [Bg.
7.15], fools whose real knowledge has been taken away. They
are not men of knowledge, but they pose as scientists and
philosophers, although their so-called theoretical knowledge cannot
produce practical results.”
from
Caitanya-caritamrita,
Adi
11.89, purport:
“A
devotee is always thinking of how better to serve Lord Krishna, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, and how to broadcast His name, fame
and qualities throughout the world. One who is nitya-siddha
has
no business other than broadcasting the glories of the Lord all over
the world according to his ability. Such people are already
associates of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore Narottama dasa
Thakura says, nitya-siddha
kari’ mane.
One should not think that because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was
personally present five hundred years ago, only His associates were
liberated. Rather, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says that anyone is a
nitya-siddha
if he acts on behalf of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by spreading the
glories of the holy name of the Lord. We should respect those
devotees preaching the glories of the Lord as nitya-siddha
and
should not consider them conditioned.”
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
4.13.28, purport:
“.
. . in devotional service there are offenses known as seva-aparadha. Those who are engaged in worshiping the Deity, Radha and Krishna, in the temple should avoid such offenses in service. The offenses in service are described in The Nectar of Devotion. If we simply make a show of offering services to the Deity but do not care for the seva-aparadha, certainly the Radha-Krishna Deity will not accept offerings from such nondevotees. Devotees engaged in temple worship should not, therefore, manufacture their own methods, but should strictly follow the regulative principles of cleanliness, and then offerings will be accepted.”
from
Srimad-Bhagavatam
4.13.35, purport:
“According
to sacrificial rituals, animals are sometimes sacrificed in the yajña
arena. Such animals are sacrificed not to kill them but to give them
new life. Such action was an experiment to observe whether the Vedic
mantras were being properly pronounced. Sometimes small animals are
killed in a medical laboratory to investigate therapeutic effects. In
a medical clinic, the animals are not revived, but in the yajña
arena, when animals were sacrificed, they were again given life by
the potency of Vedic mantras.”
Satsvarupa
Dasa Goswami:
from
“Poem for November 26” in Viraha Bhavan:
“Radha-Govinda
are kind to me.
Every morning (and all day)
They grant me full darsana
with Their effulgent forms
and attractive dress.
I don’t know much about it,
but I accept Them as spiritual forms on the authority of
the sastras and the acaryas.
They fill my heart
with love and
banish voidism and impersonalism.”
Every morning (and all day)
They grant me full darsana
with Their effulgent forms
and attractive dress.
I don’t know much about it,
but I accept Them as spiritual forms on the authority of
the sastras and the acaryas.
They fill my heart
with love and
banish voidism and impersonalism.”
“When
Dhruva Maharaja saw the residents
of Vaikuntha he didn’t
know what to say. He
chanted Hare Krishna, and they
were satisfied. Similarly at the cleaning of the
Gundica temple the devotees just said,
Ê»Krishna’ to indicate
what they wanted. The harinama party
doesn’t have to
give lectures to the crowd. They
can just go on
chanting the Hare Krishna mantra,
and all communication
will be satisfied.”
Dhruva Maharaja saw the residents
of Vaikuntha he didn’t
know what to say. He
chanted Hare Krishna, and they
were satisfied. Similarly at the cleaning of the
Gundica temple the devotees just said,
Ê»Krishna’ to indicate
what they wanted. The harinama party
doesn’t have to
give lectures to the crowd. They
can just go on
chanting the Hare Krishna mantra,
and all communication
will be satisfied.”
“One
only need to test it
for oneself
and see the result.
They are happy to be
performing harinama.
Their happiness does not
derive from wealth,
power or sexual satisfaction.
They are simply blissful
to be serving Krishna
by praising His holy
names. The material
joys have a beginning
and end. At first they
taste like nectar, but
later they turn to poison.
But the happiness of harinama sankirtana
is an increasing ocean that knows no bounds.”
for oneself
and see the result.
They are happy to be
performing harinama.
Their happiness does not
derive from wealth,
power or sexual satisfaction.
They are simply blissful
to be serving Krishna
by praising His holy
names. The material
joys have a beginning
and end. At first they
taste like nectar, but
later they turn to poison.
But the happiness of harinama sankirtana
is an increasing ocean that knows no bounds.”
Jayadvaita Swami:
Not
that I love you, but I will not do a damn thing for you.
In
a proper Vedic kingdom, the king is like the father of the citizens
and is concerned with the material and spiritual welfare of the
citizens.
Asking
for three steps of land from a king like Bali Maharaja is like asking
Bill Gates for $10.
Bhakti
is practical activity in the service of the Lord with the mind fixed
on the Lord.
In
this age, the two first methods of devotional service,
hearing and chanting, are most recommended.
Srila
Prabhupada once said, “Chanting means thinking.” [This reminds me
of how when Krishna says “think of Me” throughout Chapter 8 of
Bhagavad-gita, Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport, “Chant
Hare Krishna.” In one purport he includes the entire Hare Krishna
mantra twice.]
We
see that the devotees go to places like Union Square and Times Square
to chant, and people hear “Hare Krishna” and they think of
Krishna.
If
you have no engagement then chant Hare Krishna or read books about
Krishna. If you are fully engaged in Krishna consciousness then there
are no maya activities.
If
you fully surrender to Krishna by always thinking of Him, Krishna
will take care of you. It is like the army. If you join the army, the
army provides clothes, a place to stay, medical help, education, . .
. So it is with Krishna.
People
would ask Srila Prabhupada where you get money, and Prabhupada said
Krishna is our financier.
In
the beginning I was told I needed beads and Brahmananda Prabhu told
me they were $10, and I had no money. The next day on the way to the
temple I looked down on the ground and there was $10, so I was able
to get my beads.
When
there is a connection between me and Krishna, that is yoga.
Once
Bhakti Charu Swami said to Srila Prabhupada, “I wish I could have
been there when you were all alone in New York in the beginning.”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “I was never alone.”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “I was never alone.”
In
theory one can be a devotee of Krishna without being in a community,
but because in practice it is hard to be
in complete seclusion, if we do not associate with devotees, then we
will associate nondevotees and thus we will do nondevotional
activities.
Just
as scientists enjoy discussing their discoveries so the advanced
devotees enjoy discussing their realizations.
Now
I am a conscious person living in the contraption of the material
body. In the spiritual world the body is made of consciousness.
Everything is made of consciousness. It is a much better place.
Instead
of working eight hours a day, you can live with the devotees and
serve Krishna for many hours a day. If you have got yourself in a
state where you need to acquire wealth, then offer the work you must
do as service to Krishna.
The
material world may look stable, but it is risky as hell. I could
elaborate, but I see many of you are nodding. If I am going to take a
risk, I might as well take a risk for something big, the ultimate
objective. Materially the odds are 100% you will lose everything. And
spiritually either you attain perfection in this life or you come
back in the next life and continue where you left off, and so it is
success either way.
Advice
to a devotee writing a blog:
Be
simple, direct, and clear.
Use
Wordpress as it is easy to use.
Share
what you have realized.
Use
a spell checker.
Arcana siddhi dd:
from
“A Retreat for Krishna Couples” in Back
to Godhead, Vol. 48, No.
2:
“I
see a relationship between the yoga of listening and our connection
with Krishna
during japa
time: The practice of being present in our everyday exchanges helps
us control the mind during japa and thus connect with Krishna.
And the more we connect
with
Krishna, the source of all relationships, the easier it is to connect
with other souls, who are all part of Him.”
Dravida
Prabhu:
In
New York, in the 1970s, we would go on harinama
sankirtana for
three hours every day.
Srila
Prabhupada felt the seventh chapter of the Adi-lila of the Sri
Caitanya-caritamrita was so
important that he wanted it published as a separate volume.
Everything
begins with sound. Our material existence is an effect of material
sound, and our spiritual life begins by vibrating transcendental
sound.
We have to see the
reality of the miseries of birth, death, old age, and disease, and
use that as an impetus to take spiritual life seriously. At the same
time, we have to develop our attraction to Krishna. Both go on
together.
Krishna has
unlimited names because He has unlimited devotees and unlimited
activities with them.
The
web site iskcondesiretree.com
has a section with stories of how people came to Krishna
consciousness.
This
Festival of the Holy Name with people getting together and singing
for hours on end and drumming, is a wonderful manifestation of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana movement.
Every devotee who is
sincere becomes a channel to some degree.
How to sustain and
how to expand? The strength is in numbers, in coming together.
One
of the features of this Festival of the Holy Name is the big harinama
during the game between Florida
and Florida State. There is a verse that says that just hearing one
holy name can free you from all sins. How many thousands of people
were purified in that harinama!
The verse that
glorifies a moment’s association with sadhus is actually glorifying
hearing a moment from the sadhus because that is how we generally
associate with them.
If you are always
connected with transcendental sound, then when you have a chance to
speak, you will be able to present the philosophy nicely.
By nicely hearing,
you remember Krishna and steadily proceed.
Remembrance of
Krishna destroys everything inauspicious.
When the
intelligence is situated in this knowledge, you can control the lower
self. The mode of passion tries to cover our knowledge.
Sometimes
the clouds clear and you get a taste of the holy name. How to be in
that state always? That is sthayi-bhava, an
advanced stage.
We should pray to
always advance in devotional service.
We should avoid
offending the devotees, because if
we offend them, we will lose their association, and
with it, the opportunities to hear and chant about Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada
said the best way to control the mind is to think of ways to spread
Krishna consciousness.
With advances in
technology, we have no excuse for not hearing about Krishna.
How do we spend our
mornings and evenings, those times we have the choice of what to do?
If we have an intensive spiritual practice in the morning, that will
set the tone for the whole day.
When you are using
everything in Krishna’s service, then you can more easily see
Krishna everywhere.
comment by Adi Karta
Prabhu: Sivarama Swami likens a strong spiritual practice to
insulation, protecting us from material influences.
Nitya-siddhas
(eternally perfect beings) come
to this world just to teach the service of the Lord.
Other
Upanisads also begin
with the same invocation as Sri Isopanisad.
You can make a Deity
of mud or paint, and now I guess you would have pixels [the components of a computer image] too.
The deity may appear
inanimate and be strange to relate to as being a person, but when you
think about it, it is not so strange as we are already relating to
inanimate objects as being people because the material body of the
living soul is actually inanimate.
We want to see the
person behind the energy at every moment.
One
of the threefold miseries is those caused by other living beings.
Sartre had a book called The Exit with
one memorable line, “Hell is other people.”
Maya has a trident
to give us impetus from behind, and we have Krishna’s beauty to
attract from in front.
We are burning in a
forest fire, and someone comes with a helicopter and pours water on
it and puts it out. Therefore we should be grateful to our spiritual
master for that favor of
extinguishing
the forest fire of our material existence.
Kalakantha
Prabhu:
The human being is
meant to use his intelligence for spiritual realization. The head of
the human child is so big and heavy, he cannot lift it for six weeks.
One of the biggest
gangsters in the U.S. was finally cornered by the police, and rather
than surrendering, he fought it out with them. When he was killed, a
notebook was found in which he had written, “I am the most
misunderstood person. I never meant harm for anyone.” Everyone
thinks like that.
If we want people to
not criticize us, first we should stop criticizing others.
We should only
instruct people who accept us as an instructor, and only for their
benefit, and if it becomes clear our instructions are not having a
positive effect, we should stop giving them.
If people instruct
us, and it stirs up our tendency to defend ourselves, then although
they may be trying to benefit us, they have not understood the best
way to give instruction. If we say, “When you do this, it makes me
feel like that.” in a neutral way, it informs them of the effect of
their actions without starting an argument. Any reasonable person
will not want to give pain to others. If the person continues to
speak in a way to agitate our mind, we know they are a jerk, and we
can politely excuse ourselves from their presence.
If we are in a
critical mood, that will only hurt ourselves.
Citraketu did not
fear Parvati’s curse even slightly because he knew he could perform
his service to the Lord in any condition of life.
We should not allow
insults to remain in our consciousness and continue disturb us. We
should forgive the person or try to understand their motivation, and
get beyond it.
from
a lecture on Bhagavad-gita
5.4
at Atmanivedana Prabhu’s Friday program on Long Island on December
13, 2013:
Some
describe Bhagavad-gita
as
a synthetic text, one that brings many traditions together.
What
is usually meant by sankhya
is
the Sankhya karika
of Isvara
Krishna which is what Srila Prabhupada would call atheistic sankhya.
It
is interesting the Krishna considers that sankhya
and
yoga are nondifferent because they have the same result.
It is ironic that
Krishna says that one enjoys the same result from either practice
because the result is to act without enjoying the result!
It
is striking to see how little Patanjali talks in his Yoga
Sutras about
the asanas, or
sitting postures, which are what are thought of as yoga nowadays.
Some
examples from the Yoga-sutras:
sthira
sukham asanam: Asana
is steadiness and easy.
From it arises
relaxation of effort and endless unity.
…
Thus there is not
the assault of the dualities.
Usually
we do not think about our breathing unless there is some
obstruction to breathing, but pranayama
means
to make it a focus of attention.
Pratyahara
is anti-consumption.
Yoga
is about going where you need to go, it is not about kaivalyam
or
singularity.
Sankhya
and
yoga have difference emphases, analysis and practice, respectively.
Why
not take advantage all that is available to achieve perfection, and
in particular, both sankhya
and
yoga?
Srila
Prabhupada follows Baladeva Vidyabhusana in explaining that the
Bhagavad-gita is
all about bhakti.
We
can use sankhya to
analyze our situation in terms of transcendental knowledge. Like if
we are angry, we can separate ourselves from the anger.
Astanga
is
cumulative. You are still doing yama
and
niyama when
you are at samadhi.
So also is bhakti-yoga.
You
are still having sraddha
and
doing sadhu-sanga
at
the stage of prema.
The Buddhists stress
that it the duty of the monks to accept what ever is offered to them
in charity for the benefit of the giver. Thus they end up eating meat
that is offered to them as well.
Bhaktivinoda
Thakura did not wear tilaka
before
he took initiation.
Q
(by me): Sometimes it seems that Srila Prabhupada uses karma-yoga
and
bhakti-yoga
interchangeably,
and sometimes there is a difference. What is your understanding?
A:
Karma can be taken to mean any action or the actions that are
mentioned in the karma-kanda
section
to give a certain result. In either case, we must offer the result to
Krishna.
[Later
I asked him to elaborate and he did:]
“As
I understand, the term ‘karma’ can be taken in various ways, the
relevant ones here being the broadest sense of ‘action’ and the
narrow sense of ‘ritual action.’ As ‘action,’ if we speak of
‘action-yoga,’ can by implication translate into ‘bhakti-yoga’
if we put emphasis on active engagement, whereby the ‘yoga’
element can be taken as ‘linking’ (and thereby canceling out
karma-as-reaction). The narrow sense, karma-as-Vedic-ritual, implies
engagement following prescribed procedures that are meant to bring
about appropriate ‘cosmic alignments’ or harmonious arrangements
that facilitate maximization of worldly goods. In this case, the
‘yoga’ component, still suggesting ‘linking,’ puts an
emphasis on giving up of ‘results’ (positive
results—‘karma-phala’)
of ritual actions to the enjoyer of sacrifice, the yajna-purusa,
Vishnu. The common issue in both situations would be motivation (a
big theme in Buddhism), and of course motivation is a difficult thing
to measure or assess.”
from
a lecture given at Atmanivedana Prabhu’s Saturday program at 26 2nd
Avenue:
I hope you are not
averse to memorizing a verse.
This
is a traditional way of memorizing a verse. You can turn off your
brain and just hear and repeat. Hear a little bit more each time and
then repeat. Start repeating twice. Then try repeating five times.
Krishna’s
statement that everyone follows his path can be explained in this
way. You can go on the path toward Krishna or you can go away from
Krishna, but it is all Krishna’s path.
The problem with
consequentialism or choosing an action based on its consequences is
that you never really know what the consequences of an action will
be.
Krishna gives
different arguments why Arjuna should fight:
Because he will be
defamed if he does not.
Because it is his
duty.
Because it is
virtuous.
Q (by me): It is
interesting that Krishna argues that Arjuna should fight otherwise he
will be defamed but later Krishna says one who is dear to Him does
not care for fame or infamy.
A: Yes. That is why
that is not His final argument. Sometimes when you are trying to
convince someone of something, you just use any argument you think
might work.
Astanga
yoga is
a self-help method.
Of course, if you
follow a self-help book, you are not really helping yourself but
depending on the author of the self-help book to help you.
Patanjali
was a compiler and not an originator.
Marx said we are
alienated in four ways.
- We are alienated from what we produce.
- We are alienated from the work because it is an artificial routine.
- We are alienated from our humanity.
- We are alienated from other people.
Ford did not invent
the assembly line but got the idea from the Chicago slaughterhouses.
Yoga means
connection and is the solution to alienation.
There is too much
discipline in yoga so we do not see people streaming in the doors to
take part in it. They would rather get intoxicated and enjoy a
temporary feeling of well being. And then comes the hangover.
Krishna admits it is
difficult to control the mind, but not that it is impossible. It is
possible by suitable practice and detachment.
Sometimes we ask,
“What if someone . . . ?” when we mean “What if I . . . ?”
Sociologists talk
about rational choice theory. Plato and Aristotle considered man
rational while Hume considered man driven by emotions. And the debate
goes back and forth.
Arjuna represents
our calculating mentality when he inquires about the fate of the
unsuccessful transcendentalist.
Our reason and sense
perception cannot help us understand the truth of the next life, but
who does not want to know? One who knows the truth can supply that
knowledge.
Tat-tva literally
means that-ness and therefore truth.
Sometimes
we deprecate anyone who does not do pure bhakti-yoga,
but in the Gita
Krishna
encourages everyone to do whatever good they can do.
There have been
great Catholic mystics who were highly advanced in God consciousness
because they followed the practice that was available to them at the
time.
One
can take Bhagavad-gita
in
a strict way or in a broad way, and both ways have value.
The pure devotees of
Krishna like the Lord’s feature of Krishna so much they can’t see
why anyone would want anything less, but they don’t think in a
bigoted way. It is just a manifestation of their affection for
Krishna.
from an interview by
Yogesvara Prabhu at Jivamukti Yoga School NYC:
Q: What about yoga
and Vedanta?
A:
Sat darsana
means six darsanas
or philosophies.
In
English we speak of point of view, and similarly in Sanskrit darsana,
which
means vision, also means a philosophy or point of view.
Vedanta teaches
liberation of ourselves from preoccupation with what is not
ourselves.
What
is that Brahman, the essence of all essences, is the topic of the
Upanisads.
Within
Vedanta there is the idea that we are one with our source and the
idea that we are fundamentally different from our source, and
everything in between. Srila Prabhupada in Bhagavad-gita
As Is It goes
right down the middle, arguing that we are simultaneously one with
and different from our source.
Patanjali may or may
not have actually existed. He or she is credited with the yoga
sutras.
Yoga philosophy is
not so much into ontology as Vedanta is.
Bhagavad-gita
is
a blending of yoga, Vedanta, and sankhya,
and
may be the reason that Vedanta and yoga are still around. Once one
understands these three, one can come to the culmination of knowledge
which is bhakti.
Bhakti
comes from bhaj
which
means “to share.”
Q: Is there
something about our philosophy that affects our living of our life?
A: I should hope so.
The definition of yoga is it is about controlling the mind.
According
the Gita, the
mind can be our enemy, that is, it can make things difficult for us.
Yoga teaches
responsibility for our life begins with ourselves.
To have the ability
to respond fully is yoga.
Patanjali
sutras (1.12?) stresses practice and detachment just as Krishna does
in Bhagavad-gita
6.35.
Q: What are your
students [at Radhadesh] like?
A: They come from 35
countries, and are of a variety of ages, now more college age. Why do they
come? For some their parents practice bhakti yoga, and the kids what
to learn more about it and get academic credit for it. Ultimately
students from our Krishna Avanti schools will want to continue their
education. [A little off the subject . . . Cambridge University has
recognized that our Krishna Avanti schools are doing very well in
educating the kids.]
Q: How does deity
worship relate to Vedanta?
A: There is an idea
of the supreme as possessing all opulence in Vedanta, Bhagavan.
Bhagavan has all the
shares. Form is one of the qualities possessed by Bhagavan.
Comment by Yogesvara
Prabhu: Bhagavan then has the ultimate portfolio.
Bhagavan can
reciprocate with us through bhakti.
Arcana
teaches ways one can use his own faculties to please the senses of
this supreme person.
We
are purusa and
nature.
Q: What about China
and yoga? Are the Chinese receptive?
A: Yes. very much.
The government is now more interested in rediscovering their own
tradition, and the government has published 60 volumes of Chinese
classics, in Chinese and English, Chinese and Spanish, Chinese and
Arabic, and a couple more.
My teaching
assistant said that Taoism has no conception of love. How can they
get from there to bhakti? Yet there is interest.
Q: What are the main
parallels and differences in Hinduism and Buddhism?
A: Buddhism is
anatmavada, the doctrine of no self. To think there is an “I”
that suffers is the cause of suffering, and thus they try to
deconstruct the self. Krishna says that the self is misidentifying
with the body, and that is the cause of suffering.
Malati Devi:
Srimad-Bhagavatam
is
the guide for human life.
Sanatana
Goswami first encountered Srimad-Bhagavatam
in
a dream when a brahmana
presented
it to him. When he awoke, he was perplexed, and then in his waking
state, a brahmana
actually
presented Srimad-Bhagavatam
to
him.
Transcendental
ecstasy is increasing pleasure unlike the mixed happiness and
distress of the material world.
“O
Srimad-Bhagvatam,
O
friend, O companion, O teacher, O deliverer . . .”—Sri
Krishnalila stava from
Sanatana Gosvami
Having the gifts of
past piety such as education, beauty, social position, and wealth
does not guarantee success in transcendental life.
Srila Prabhupada
said if you want something it is better to ask Lord Krishna for it.
When you get it, then you will be thankful to the Lord.
Diplomacy has its
place, but in material life it is just a kind of manipulation.
The Rock and; Roll
Hall of fame in Cleveland is a place of pilgrimage for the rock and roll enthusiasts.
The scriptures
describe a holy place as being a place where chanting and hearing of
the Lord goes on and where saintly persons gather.
Srila
Prabhupada did not parachute down from an unknown place and spout out
some teaching. Rather he came as a representative of the Gaudiya
Vaishnava parampara
(spiritual
lineage) and presented it in that way.
There is no lack of
spiritual guidance from senior devotees here at Krishna House, and
thus there will be no lack of success.
By remembering the
names of the saints, we remember their activities and qualities, and
become filled with devotional inspiration.
Q (by Rasaraja
Prabhu): When I hear people glorify Krishna House, I become grateful
for having the opportunity to live here. How to keep this mood?
A: By increasing the
mood of service. Sometimes gratitude is all about us. By service we
can get beyond that. Just do some service, even anonymously, to
benefit the devotees. The GBCs did one exercise. Each would get a
name on a piece of paper and have to do some service for that person.
It was called the “anonymous friend” exercise. Make Krishna House
your anonymous friend.
Nagaraja Prabhu:
from
“Krishna is Coming” in Back
to Godhead, Vol.
48, No. 2:
“We
conditioned souls in the early stages of Krishna consciousness
struggle against the power of the material energy. But the struggle
gets much easier when one is inspired. So, whether we’re entering
the temple or the sacred space we’ve created in our home, we can
remind ourselves that the same fountain of inspiration Prabhupada
brought to his disciples around the world is still available to us in
the abundant spiritual resources he left behind.”
Satyaraja Prabhu:
from “Ramananda
Samvada: The Perfect Conversation” in Back to Godhead, Vol.
48, No. 2:
“In
the Bhagavad-gita,
Arjuna hears from Lord Krishna, but here [in Sri
Caitanya-caritamrita,
Madhya-lila, Chapter 8] Krishna (Sri Caitanya) hears from His devotee
Arjuna (Ramananda Raya).”
Vaisesika Prabhu:
recalled by Caitanya
of Krishna House:
Many people doing a
little book distribution is better than one person doing a lot.
Yogesvara Prabhu:
Deity worship is one
of the most contentious subjects in Vaishnavism. The deities are
referred to by the British as idols and by my mother as “the
dolls.”
Caitanya Carana
Prabhu:
from “Why Is the
Bhagavad-gita So Pessimistic?” in Back to Godhead, Vol.
48, No. 2:
“Even
when distresses don’t overwhelm us, our life gets so boring that
more patients visit psychiatrists because of boredom than because of
distress.”
Tulasi-priya dd:
Srila Prabhupada
said we should be 90% strict with ourselves, but 90% lenient with
others. Yama Niyama Das Brahmacari teaches how to be with oneself but
how not to be with others.
Hanan:
One
brahmana said,
“I have committed grievous sins by criticizing a Vaishnava. What
should do?”
Lord Caitanya, “If
you take poison, you can protect yourself from its effect by taking a nectar that will neutralize it. Glorifying the Vaishnavas and the
pastimes of the Supreme Lord can free one the offense of offending a
Vaishnava.”
I want to glorify
all the devotees here today:
Arjuna, you started
coming on Fridays to the evening program, and now you are managing
it, and I know how difficult that is.
Alex,
I like it that you come and greet everyone at Krishna Lunch and do
kirtana before you go
back to Krishna House and do your own service of serving lunch there.
Badahari Prabhu
[maintenance in charge], I like how you rescued me many times.
Amy, you managed the
Krishna Lunch when I was gone better than I did.
Krishna-kripa das,
you opened a new department, the dancing department. Some people
after years ask me where is the dancer at Krishna Lunch?
Valentina, you were
not here this semester, but people were always asking about you.
Vaishnava [the youth
from New Vrindavan], you made a point to remember people and their
names and what they like, and you went there to Krishna Lunch every
single day.
Tessa,
you started coming to Krishna Lunch on Sunday, and asked so many
amazing questions, and now you take your sadhana seriously
despite long hours working as a nurse.
Ananta,
I appreciate you met your goal of having bhajanas on
the blanket every day, and I appreciate your aspiration to share the mood of
Vrindavan with others.
Tulasi-priya dd, I
appreciate when we lived nearby, and your concern, and your
creativity and your living with another creative person.
Micah, you were very
intense in the beginning which was scary, but now I see you have
become intense about Krishna. You talk with all the Chinese people.
Rasaraja, you did so
many different services, and I never had to change the way you had
done them.
Hladini, I am glad
you are back. You are a very caring person.
Rupachandra, you are
simultaneously learned and humble.
Lacey, I am
impressed with your determination to do service, although very busy.
Damodar
Prasada, I remember you for many years, serving Krishna Lunch, doing
kirtana, and now doing
book distribution, not wasting a moment without Krishna.
Daniel, always
sincere, you are always trying to do the best you can.
Tsurit, you have to
live with me for 24 hours. You will do special tasks, like come help
when we need, and do the difficult service of taking care of me.
Diwakar, your service and kirtana are
wonderful, but most wonderful of all is your simplicity. I asked,
“How do you say 'crazy' in Hindi?”
You
replied, “We would not call them anything but just tolerate.”
Sankalpa Devi, you
are so appreciative of serving Krishna Lunch.
Vaishnava Prabhu and
his wife, Dvijamani Devi, you are hidden jewels of Krishna Lunch,
being most consistent of all with making the Krishna Lunch salad
dressing, even now having a child.
Marlon, you manage
the second line and want us to pay you less than you work.
Jita dd, you take
care of Kalakantha Prabhu.
Ed, you did all the
dishes before the truck came back.
Jaya Sri Vrinda dd,
you seemed so competent at so many things I thought serving Krishna
Lunch would be too easy for you, but you handle it nicely.
Gopala Prabhu, you
are the most steady person I have met or will meet, chopping
vegetables for almost 20 years.
Clayton,
you once left your service at the drink cart to correct the karatala
player.
Prahlad, you are
always trying find new ways to serve better.
Tony, thank you for
your kirtana.
Rukmini, you use all
you have learned to serve, despite school.
Caitanya, I think
you are especially empowered because of your enthusiasm and
sincerity.
Kalakantha
Prabhu, you will do anything to make something funny. You do lots for
Krishna Lunch behind the scenes. Before you came to Krishna House
sometimes there was just one person at mangala arati and
now there are over thirty.
Sesa Prabhu, you
have done so many wonderful things, but you are so incredibly humble.
Jagannatha Puri
Dhama, the precision and number you cook for is impressive.
Srila Prabhupada, all glories to you. We are all here because of you!
Alex:
I
like this phrase “the secret of all secrets” in Bhagavad-gita
9.2 because I was coming to Krishna House twice a week for lunch for
a long time and I had no idea about all the kirtanas
and
lectures, and the depth of knowledge that was available here.
I
always try to jump up and down at least once in the morning and
evening kirtanas,
to
go past my limits and show Krishna I am serious about advancing.
People who regularly
come to eat on the Krishna House porch say things like, “I get good
vibes from this place.” Some do not say anything, but they come
every day.
Comment
by Padmavati dd: Mother Indrani was in the kirtana
all
day on Saturday to the very end, although many of us had to take
breaks. Despite being 87 years old and having so many health
problems, at the end of the evening she began dancing. It was amazing
to see how she transcended so many difficulties by her great
devotion!
Comment
by me: I was amazed after the whole kirtana
weekend
at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, when most of us Krishna House people had gone
home, to see that Malati Devi and several other senior Prabhupada disciples
were dancing ecstatically in Madhava Prabhu’s kirtana.
Comment by Krishnaa:
I find myself praying all the time, but often I forget to listen for
the answer.
Comment by me: And
if Krishna gives you good advice from within, you can thank Him, if
you are really sincere.
Krishna-kripa
das:
from a conversation
with two girls about karma:
As I walked
diagonally across the plaza to stop by the ATM on the way to Krishna
House, I overheard two girls talking who mentioned the word “karma”
in their conversation. I stopped immediately, and turned around
saying to them with surprise, “Did you say ‘karma’? Almost
nobody talks about karma!” They were discussing about bad karma,
and I briefly explained how all acts have reactions. Good and bad
actions cause us to enjoy or suffer in the future, but acts of
devotion to God have no reactions and not only that, they uproot our
previous reactions to other deeds. These acts of devotion accumulate
life after life and mature into love for God which alone can satisfy
our soul. Worried that they would find the explanation too sectarian.
I explained that our spiritual teacher, although representing one
particular tradition explained, “You may do this business or that
business, but if you make money you are successful. Similarly you may
follow this religion or that religion, but if you end up with love
for God, you are successful.” They happily smiled and appreciated
the explanation.
Marlon:
from a conversation
about the Festival of the Holy Name:
I wasn’t planning
on going to the Festival of the Holy Name in Alachua, but Mike from
West Virginia practically dragged me. I sat down listening for hours.
Then Arjuna pulled me into the group of dancing devotees. Something
overcame me, and I could not stop dancing. That was when I realized
the event was something really special.
Amy:
comments on a class:
I
had lived with a devotee family and liked everything about it, the
food and the kirtana,
and
all, but
I thought I would never become a devotee. Then I got an email from
Hridayananda Goswami, and that changed everything. It was not even a
personal contact, just an email. It made me cry tears. I told my
fiance, “I got the best guru.” He replied, “Everyone says
that!” The only thing I could compare it to is falling in love.
Imagine a billboard,
“Come and be a servant!” No one would be attracted. [But spiritual service is a different thing.]
-----
yatha taror
mula-nisecanena
trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah
pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam
tathaiva sarvarhanam acyutejya
trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah
pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam
tathaiva sarvarhanam acyutejya
“By giving water
to the root of a tree one satisfies its branches, twigs and leaves,
and by supplying food to the stomach one satisfies all the senses of
the body. Similarly, by engaging in the transcendental service of the
Supreme Lord one automatically satisfies all the demigods and all
other living entities.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.31.14, as
quoted in Bhagavad-gita 9.3, purport)