Travel Journal#14.17: York, Newcastle, and Mayapur

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 14, No. 17 

By Krishna-kripa das 

(September 2018, part one) 

York, Newcastle, and Mayapur 

(Sent from Mayapur on Radhastami 2018)

Where I Went and What I Did

I chanted Hare Krishna in York and spoke at our monthly Saturday program there. Then I took the train after the program to Newcastle, where we had an hour long harinama before my flight to Kolkata the next day. I arrived in Kolkata around 8:15 a.m. on Janmastami and took two buses, a train, a boat, and a car to Mayapur for 62 rupees, just under a dollar. The abhiseka (bathing ceremony) of Radha-Krishna on Janmastami was beautiful as was the chanting of Hare Krishna, and the whole trip felt worth it. During Vyasa Puja the next day some Prabhupada disciples spoke some nice homages. I hoped to join the harinama party in Mayapur, but they took a break for a week, so I chanted three hours of sankirtana with devotees each day, either before Radha-Madhava or at Srila Prabhupada’s Bhajan Kutir. I also decided to chant 32 rounds each day while in Mayapur and 64 rounds on Ekadasi and Janmastami. 

The beauty of the deities in Mayapur is a pleasure for the eyes and the wonderful kirtan before them is a pleasure for the ears, and thus I am very happy here. There is not a longing to go anywhere else. While chanting and dancing before Radha-Madhava and Their eight amazing girlfriends, I feel I do not need to go to Vrindavan for Vrindavan is here!

I share notes from Srila Prabhupada lectures and excerpts from his books. I share excerpts from the Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, which I am reading to help appreciate better the glories of Navadvipa Dhama while I am here so I get the most out of my visit. I share notes on a couple of books by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami and on many morning classes in Mayapur, including those of very senior devotees like Jananivasa and Pancharatna Prabhus. At the end of the “Insights” section, I include notes on many of the Vyasa-puja offerings spoken in Mayapur.

Thanks to Tara Prabhu of the USA, but living in Mayapur, for his very generous donation. Thanks to Govardhan Devi Dasi of Scarborough, for giving me our harinama collection in York, which was larger than I ever remember. Thanks to Andrea of Newcastle for kindly giving a donation on the occasion of her grandmother Barbara’s death. Please say a prayer for her, as I did. Thanks to Dennis of York for his donation. Thanks to Hanuman Prabhu of International Devotee and Guest Care for allowing me to stay in Vamsi Bhavan for seven days and to Nitai Padakamala Prabhu of the Mayapur Administrative Council for allowing to me to stay in the Senior Brahmacari Ashram for the rest of my stay in Mayapur. Thanks also to Govardhan for the yogurt container full of laddus, which I eat one of every day for lunch.

Thanks to Govardhan Devi Dasi for taking photos and videos of our York harinama. Thanks to Caitanya Simha Prabhu for his photos and videos of the Mayapur Harinama. Thanks to Mayapur.com for the photo of Radha-Madhava and Their associates. Thanks to Mayapur.TV for the Janmastami abhiseka and Vyasa-puja videos.

Itinerary

September 3–28: Mayapur

September 29: Newcastle harinama

September 30: Dublin harinamas and Sunday feast lecture

October 1–: New York City Yuga Dharma Harinama Party

October 27: Bhagavad-gita class at 26 Second Avenue

December 24: Albany, New York, for Christmas Eve

Chanting Hare Krishna in York

Devotees chant the first Saturday of the month for two or three hours on the pedestrian streets of York and promote their program at the Quaker Meeting House in the evening. Here Govardhan Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in York, and an onlooker dances and plays karatalas (https://youtu.be/pTsN5HvqeS8):

Later, when I was chanting a group of people danced with us in a variety of ways for quite some time, but because I was playing the harmonium, I could not take a video of it. Thus when I chanted again at the end of the harinama as we were moving toward the venue for our evening program, I gave Govardhan Devi Dasi my iPhone and asked her to take videos of those interacting with our party. Here onlookers wave, smile, dance, and take photos and videos when they encounter our joyous party of Hare Krishna chanters (https://youtu.be/NUv-n9IcrV4):

One young lady, who studies at the University of York, came to the evening program being invited by Ashish. I tried to make the talk on Janmastami accessible to her. I was impressed that she chanted for most of the kirtan.

Chanting Hare Krishna in Newcastle

My flight to Dubai en route to Kolkata was not till 1:45 p.m., and I calculated if I took the metro at 11:47 a.m. I could reach the airport 90 minutes before the flight. Thus I figured I could probably do harinama from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday morning and fly in the afternoon. I hate the idea of day without harinama! I would need at least one person to join me who could take the instruments, books, and amplifier back to the temple afterward, so I could take the metro to the airport from downtown, near where we chant. Prema Sankirtana Prabhu said he would come, and Cami said she could come too. Beyond that, Satya Medha Gauranga Prabhu agreed to drive the instruments, books, and amplifier back to the temple.

It was a great plan. As it always takes me longer to pack than I ever dream it would, I only caught the last 35 minutes, but the others were there for the full hour. I was happy to have the support of my friends for this last harinama before my journey to India, and by Krishna’s mercy the weather was nice also.

Chanting Hare Krishna in Mayapur

The beauty of the abhiseka [bathing ceremony] of Radha and Krishna on Janmastami [Krishna’s birthday] in Mayapur and the sweetness of the Hare Krishna kirtan which accompanied it, minimized the fatigue of my twenty-two hour journey from downtown Newcastle, where I had done harinama, to our ISKCON complex in Mayapur, about four hours north of Kolkata, and I felt the whole endeavor worth it. Here you can see that beautiful abhiseka in Mayapur on Janmastami thanks to Mayapur.tv (https://www.mayapur.tv/index.php?stream=MayapurTV%2FMayapurTV**MayapurTV%2FSri+Krishna+Janmastami+Abhishek___20180903184140.mp4#.W5qNbp55Azs.blogger):

I was recovering from my journey and the late night Janmastami program for a couple days after I arrived, and I was not in the mood to take any videos. Then the new iPhone I purchased, my only camera these days, developed four defects. It did not charge past 9%, it discharged irregularly, it crashed periodically, and it could not access the phone network. Thus I did not take any video for the entire week after arriving in Mayapur. After I already had decided to return it, which was not practical to do from India as I bought it in the UK, it suddenly began to work almost as good as new, so I canceled the return. Now it has good and bad days, but I have been able to take a few videos.

Because the Mayapur daily harinama team had traveled to Bihar for Janmastami they took a week off, and I was frustrated not to have a group of people to chant with. I also was not in the mood to go out alone or try to gather a team of people to go with me, so I decided to do three hours of sankirtana every day mostly in temple in front of Radha-Madhava Asta Sakhi Vrinda and occasionally in the Prabhupada Bhajan Kutir. Followers of Jayapataka Swami were chanting Hare Krishna all day in front Radha-Madhava Asta Sakhi Vrinda for the protection of their guru, who had a kidney and liver transplant in one operation, and I would happily listen, chant the response, and dance before these deities, which are for me, the most beautiful in our Hare Krishna movement and who remind me of the sweetness of the spiritual world (https://youtu.be/3AEL2R2GaME):

Here is some more kirtan from another night (https://youtu.be/c0Fzwn-J9WE):

Chanting Hare Krishna with the Mayapur Dhama Harinama Party

The Mayapur Dhama Harinama party is led by Kamala Kantha Prabhu of Java. Vishnurata Prabhu, also from in Indonesia, specifically Bali, is also very active. Practically everyone else is from Russia, with Yudhisthira Prabhu being from Ukraine.

They chant from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., meeting at the Krishna Balarama Juice Stall at the opposite end of the long building (Chakra Bhavan) from the temple. They go out every day but Monday.

Several devotees were enthusiastic to sing, so I decided to contribute by dancing. I felt very at home to be with Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and
Their associates, chanting and dancing in Mayapur Dhama. Having all the Russian ladies dancing in front reminded me of the Polish festival tour. One Russian devotee, Caitanya Simha Prabhu, who has a serious camera, took this video (https://youtu.be/shWtxeFlJKo):

We go to different parts of the campus, including by the Prabhupada Samadhi.

I took at least one video of every devotee who led the singing, and I took more videos when people joined in dancing with us.

Here Indulekha Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna during Mayapur harinama (https://youtu.be/iMATyXSvU0M):

Kamala Kantha Prabhu, the leader of the Mayapur harinama party, chants Hare Krishna during Mayapur harinama (https://youtu.be/Ffcs2ID_aHc):

Isarani Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna during Mayapur harinama (https://youtu.be/zV6KzjdElAM)

Vishnurata Prabhu chants Hare Krishna during Mayapur harinama, and Western devotee ladies engage the Bengali ladies in dancing (https://youtu.be/bYHKy0pxFa0):

Even some little Bengali boys enjoyed playing the drums their mother had bought them!

Yudhisthira Prabhu of Ukraine chants Hare Krishna during Mayapur harinama (https://youtu.be/XxYgnkT63PM):

Vishnurata Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Mayapur harinama, which was joined by a three-person harinama party, led by Sanatana Gauranga Prabhu (https://youtu.be/HTvHTQ1luN8):

Sanatana Gauranga Prabhu, who resides in Gaura Govinda Swami’s ashram at Hulor Ghat, chants Hare Krishna in Mayapur (https://youtu.be/-2mkYp47z34):

Sanatana Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Mayapur, and a devotee kid dances (https://youtu.be/AW-3D54ksmg):

Sanatana Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Mayapur, and a few Indian youths dance (https://youtu.be/GbzhGirJ7xA):

Sanatana Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Mayapur, and a whole group of Indian youths dances (https://youtu.be/bYCl1KNWi68):

Sanatana Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Mayapur, and a dancing crowd of mostly youthful Indian visitors to Mayapur follows behind our harinama party for quite a while (https://youtu.be/3v0Fb3h-Vxs):

Everyone is in a joyous mood at the end of the Mayapur harinama, even the kids, who shout “Jaya!”, bow down, and jump for joy (https://youtu.be/KpWAG5cAwNk):

Mayapur Memories

 As I approached our ISKCON Mayapur campus by bus, I saw the Prabhupada Samadhi with the new temple looming behind it making the Samadhi seem tiny in comparison.

This poster advertising the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is massive in size. Srila Prabhupada is quoted as saying “My idea is to attract the people of the whole world to Mayapur.” That is the glory of Srila Prabhupada. Mayapur is the most sacred place in the universe, where love of God, the goal of all true religions, is easily available because Lord Caitanya does not consider whatever offenses the people may commit, but instead gives them love of God and dissolves their offensive mentality. Srila Prabhupada liberally wants to attract the whole world to come to Mayapur to see the amazing temple and end up perfecting their lives by easily attaining love for God.

One of the great things about Mayapur is that you meet friends who you have known from all over the world. Pancharatna Prabhu, who seems to have more love for Mayapur than practically anyone I know, I knew from working for him as a computer programmer in the late 1980s in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

He gave me one the most awesome garlands I have ever received.

I met Nrsimhananda Prabhu, who previously lived in Alachua. I saw Acintya Caitanya Prabhu, who along with his wife, accommodated my mother during our South Indian tour in 2008. I met Radhika Nagara Prabhu, the sastric studies teacher, who I met in previous years distributing books in Manchester. I met Tara, who I knew when he was distributing books in America and when he was helping out on the Polish festival tour. I met Syamamayi Devi Dasi from Belfast and Kapila Prabhu from Trinidad, both disciples of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I also met several other devotees.

I often check the weather to see whether it will be favorable for chanting in public. I was surprised when I checked the weather in Mayapur and saw thunderstorms for fifteen days in a row! 

Now a week later I notice only fourteen out of the fifteen days are predicted to have thunderstorms!

Because of storms that already happened and fear of continuing bad weather, one day only two of us showed up for harinama, me and a small Russian girl named Krishna Priya.

Krishna Priya called around to the other devotees to see if they would be coming out.

Mrdanga players in the West use baby powder to facilitate their drumming, and in India they use the Himalaya herbal equivalent!

Different places devotees introduce practical innovations on chanting parties. Note the microphone on the drum and the watch positioned so the drummer can easily see the time without missing a beat. There is also a clock on the back of the cart so the harmonium player also does not lose track of the time.

The improved lighting of the altar at night is an impressive addition since my last visit, and the light is so bright the faces of the chanting devotees are also illuminated.

Funny Photo

In English we have the word salon, an establishment where a hairdresser, beautician, or couturier conducts trade, and we also have another word saloon, a place for the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks. In India this difference is not always recognized, and thus we encounter signs like this. [If you transliterate the Bengali, you will find saloon to be spelled selūn.]

Insights

Srila Prabhupada:

From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.1:

Everything material has a creation, a period of maintenance, and an annihilation.

The source of all creations must be a living force, just as there must be a living driver for the car to drive.

Although I claim this body is mine, I do not know exactly how it is working.

Where does Krishna get knowledge? From no one else for He is self-sufficient.

Being situated in the heart, Krishna can enlighten anyone.

The materials we use in production are not ours but are the property of God. When we manufacture something from those materials the manufactured product remains the property of God.

Our Krishna consciousness movement is meant to revive the God consciousness of human society. Animals and plants are too dull to understand it.

From analytical study we can show that we are different from the different parts of our body and thus we are different from the body as a whole. Similarly we can understand we are eternal because we exist beyond the changes of body.

Human society is not aware of the vast knowledge available in the Vedas.

Human society can attain perfect peace through this Vedic knowledge.

From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.10 in Mayapur on February 17, 1976:

Material world means everyone is falsely proud.

This false pride is given up when one becomes a devotee.

The mistake of the Mayavadis is to think that because Brahman is everything that whatever I worship is alright. Krishna says differently in Bhagavad-gita.

If we are God [as the Mayavadis say], then how did we become covered by maya? That would mean maya is greater than God. They cannot answer because their theory is foolish.

Krishna speaks of cow protection in Bhagavad-gita. If you have to eat meat, you can eat some other animal.

Even the dog-eater, the lowest grade in the Vedic society, can become Krishna conscious.

Krishna came to establish dharma. Then why does he says “sarva dharman parityaja – give up all dharmas”? Because they are all false dharmas. The real dharma is to surrender to Krishna.

From a class Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.13 in Mayapur on February 20, 1976:

The asuras are disturbing elements.

When there are so many disturbing elements the Supreme Lord descends.

Law and order is required in the material world because it is chaotic.

In the spiritual world everyone agrees that the Lord is the master and he is the servant, so there is no needed for law and order.

God means there is no one equal to and no one greater than Him. There cannot be two Gods. God is one.

God can expand Himself into many forms yet all these forms are the same in potency.

Brahma, the demigods, and we are of the same category. We are all servants of the Lord.

Everyone is trying to become God thus the world is in a chaotic condition.

Thus Krishna has appeared in the form of His holy name.

If you take shelter of the holy name of the Lord, you will become sadhus, and you will be saved.

By chanting the holy name of the Lord, even the lowest man can become a sadhu.

Lord Caitanya, by introducing this Krishna consciousness movement, is making everyone sadhu.

The Lord is disturbing to the asuras but not to the devotees.

The duty of the pure soul is to extinguish the blazing fire of material existence. This can only be done by spreading this Krishna consciousness movement.

Lord Caitanya is spreading the moonlight thus we have named this temple Caitanya Candrodaya Mandir.

This prayer of Prahlad Maharaja is important to understand, how the most degraded person can become the greatest devotee.

From Nectar of Instruction, verse 10, purport:

“Of all these devotees, the gopis are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other than satisfying Krishna. Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krishna. Indeed, sometimes Krishna puts them into extreme suffering by separating Himself from them. Nonetheless, they cannot forget Krishna. When Krishna left Vrindavan for Mathura, the gopis became most dejected and spent the rest of their lives simply crying in separation from Krishna. This means that in one sense they were never actually separated from Krishna. There is no difference between thinking of Krishna and associating with Him. Rather, vipralambha-seva, thinking of Krishna in separation, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did, is far better than serving Krishna directly. Thus of all the devotees who have developed unalloyed devotional love for Krishna, the gopis are most exalted, and out of all these exalted gopis, Srimati Radharani is the highest. No one can excel the devotional service of Srimati Radharani. Indeed, even Krishna cannot understand the attitude of Srimati Radharani; therefore He took Her position and appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, just to understand Her transcendental feelings.”

From a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.13 in Hamburg, Germany, on September 10, 1969:

“By chanting the holy name of God, you associate with God. God is absolute. He’s not different from His name. So when you chant God’s name means you immediately become in touch with God. And by chanting more and more, your association becomes more and more intimate. Then everything is disclosed to you.”

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.24.53, purport:

“The Supreme Lord has given full directions in Bhagavad-gita about how to deal with everything in this material world and how to return home, back to Godhead. Therefore, one should not be misled by so-called gurus who are rascals and fools. Rather, one should directly see the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the guru or instructor.”

Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter One:

“Offenders are the object of punishment at other holy pilgrimage places, but in Navadvipa-dhama they are purified. The example is the two brothers Jagai and Madhai, who committed great offenses yet still received Nitai and Gaura. What to speak of other places, at Vrindavan the offenders are punished. But a person who has committed hundreds of offenses can easily receive the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu and overcome those offenses in Navadvipa-dhama. For this reason, sages endlessly praise Navadvipa of Gaura-mandala. He who lives in Navadvipa-dhama is very fortunate, for he achieves attraction for Krishna. He who happens to go there becomes freed from all offenses. What one attains by travelling to all the holy places is attained just by remembering Navadvipa. In this way the scriptures sing. He who sees Navadvipa-dhama gets ecstatic love of Krishna birth after birth. Even one who goes to Navadvipa desiring to gain material comforts through pious activities will not take another birth. The sastras say that one who walks around Navadvipa attains the fruit of millions of asvamedha-yajnas at every step. And one who lives in Navadvipa and chants mantras obtains the sound of Caitanya as his mantra and easily gets free from maya. What yogis obtain after ten years at other tirthas is obtained in three nights at Navadvipa. That liberation attained by Brahman realization at other holy places is obtained simply by bathing in the Ganges at Navadvipa. Thus, all types of liberation – salokya, sarupya, sarsti. samipya, and nirvana can be obtained in Navadvipa without speculative practice. Falling at the feet of the pure devotees in Navadvipa, Bhukti and Mukti (personified material enjoyment and liberation) remain there as obedient servants. Not caring for their blessings, the devotees kick them away, but still they do not leave the devotees’ feet The fruits obtained by staying one hundred years at the seven holy cities can be attained by staying one night in Navadvipa-dhama. In conclusion, Navadvipa is the topmost tirtha. Taking shelter of it the living entities can cross over Kali-yuga. At this place, taraka, the name of Rama, which gives liberation, and paraka, the name of Krishna, which gives prema, always serve the residents of the dhama.”

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter Two:

“Gauranga said, ‘Without considering who is fit or who is unfit, in this incarnation I will freely distribute the treasure of love which is rarely attained even by Lord Brahma. I will manifest Navadvipa-dhama and break the poison-teeth of Kali by performing congregational chanting of the holy names of God. As long as My name is sung, Kali will be controlled.’”

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter Three:

“The person who once visits Mayapur is easily freed from the bondage of maya. One who walks throughout Mayapur is free from the influence maya and the repetition of birth.”

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter Four:

“Whatever benefits are obtained by residing in all other tirthas can be achieved by staying in Navadvipa for only one day.”

[Lord Nityananda Prabhu said to Jiva Goswami:] “At this time there is no necessity for a separate commentary on the Vedanta-sutras, for the Bhagavatam explains all the sutras. When there will be need of another commentary, Sri Govinda-bhasya will be revealed. Along with Sarvabhauma, Gopinatha Acarya heard the Lord’s commentary. Later, by the wish of Sri Caitanya, Gopinatha Acarya will take birth as Baladeva Vidyabhusana, and he will conquer Jaipur with his philosophical commentary. In Jaipur, he will serve Gauranga by writing the Govinda-bhasya, and thus free all living entities from material bondage.”

“This Navadvipa is the best of dhamas. Crossing over the Viraja River and the Brahman effulgence, beyond the Vaikuntha planets one comes to Svetadvipa, Sri Goloka. Penetrating further, one comes to Gokula Vrindavana, or Krishnaloka. That Krishnaloka exists in two states of emotion. Rasa expands there in the form of madhurya and audarya, sweetness and munificence. Audarya exists within madhurya in fullness, and madhurya exists within audarya in fullness. But, that place where madhurya is the chief state is known by fortunate persons as Vrindavana. And that place where audarya is eternally predominant is called Navadvipa in all the Vedas. There is no difference between Vrindavana and Navadvipa, only the different manifestations of rasa makes them distinct.”

“People with material vision see Navadvipa as made of material elements; for them maya covers the eternal dhama. Actually maya does not exist in Navadvipa, for it is not a material place influenced by time, nor are the living entities there subject to material troubles. But, as the living entity becomes bound by his fruitive activities, under illusion he perceives the dhama to be a material place.”

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter Five:

[Lord Nityananda Prabhu continued speaking to Jiva Goswami:] “My worshipable Lord eternally resides at Mayapur, situated on the east bank of the Ganges. Although in the eyes of common people, Visvambhara took sannyasa and left Navadvipa to go elsewhere, actually My Gauranga never gives up Mayapur or Navadvipa. The devotees can perceive His daily lila. You, Jiva, will also see Gauranga dancing.”

“Seeing the Yamuna’s good fortune of taking part in Krishna’s pastimes, the Ganges performed penance for the same purpose. Krishna bestowed His mercy by appearing before Gangadevi and saying, ‘In the form of Gauranga I will perform pastimes in your waters.’ Those pastimes were performed by the Supreme Lord of the three worlds, Gauranga, at this ghata. Fortunate people who see this place attain great happiness.”

“Hearing Brahma’s prayers, Lord Gauranga benedicted him saying, ‘So be it. When My pastimes become visible on earth, you will take birth in a yavana’s house. Your name will be Haridasa Thakura, and you will be famous for your humility and completely free from all pride. You will chant three hundred thousand names a day, and when you pass from this world you will be seeing Me. And at the end of the second one hundred trillion years of your life, you will attain Navadvipa-dhama and be absorbed in eternal rasa.

“Brahma, hear these secret (antara) words, but do not reveal this openly in the scriptures. Taking the role of a devotee, I will taste the nectar of bhakti-rasa and propagate the most rare process of sankirtana. I will make the devotees of all the previous avataras drunk with the nectar of Vrindavana. The love that Sri Radhika possesses is beyond My experience, so I will appear with Her sentiments and complexion. Taking the position of Radha, I will taste that happiness that only Radha obtains in serving Me. From today, act as My disciple and, in the form of Haridasa Thakura, always serve Me.’”

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter Six:

“On the Phalguna Purnima, one who fasts, takes bath in the Ganges here [at Ganganagara], and worships Gauranga will cross over the material ocean along with his ancestors. Along with one thousand ancestors, he attains Goloka after death no matter where he dies.”

[Lord Nityananda Prabhu said to Jiva Goswami:] “Just see the difference between Vraja-tattva and Navadvipa-tattva. Those who offend Krishna are liberated by merging into the Lord’s effulgence, whereas in Navadvipa the offenders receive the treasure of love of God. Therefore, Lord Gauranga’s pastimes are considered the highest. Gauranga’s abode, name, form, and qualities do not consider offense; rather, they expertly deliver one from any offense. If the devotee has some offense in his heart, then Krishna’s name and abode will deliver him only after a long time. But Gauranga’s name and abode immediately bestow prema on the devotee, for offenses create no obstacle and are easily overcome.”

From Navadvipa Dhama Mahatyma, Chapter Seven:

[Narada Muni said to King Suvarna Sena in Satya-yuga:] “One who chants Gaura’s name will get the mercy of Krishna, and he will be able to live in Vrindavana. One who worships Krishna without chanting the name of Gaura will get Krishna only after a long time. But he who takes Gaura’s name quickly gets Krishna, for offenses do not remain within him.”

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:

From his soon-to-be-published book Viraha Bhavan Journal:

“Krishna is known as all-attractive. He is especially appealing to all the beautiful young women in Vrindavan. They love His sidelong glances, His ever-fresh garlands and His perfect male form. Krishna is more beautiful than thousands of Cupids, and all the inhabitants of Vraja love Him more than their own lives.”

“I asked Madhumati whether she is bored here. She resolutely replied, ‘I am never bored.’ For example, she said she is reading Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s translated songbooks, which are in our library. Today I am going to remind her of what she said and refer it to Dhanurdhara Swami. He is always busy giving lectures at yoga centers and other venues. He asked Baladeva about me, ‘Does he ever get bored?’ (always sitting in my room, not giving lectures). But the answer is no, I am not bored. I am either writing or reading or chanting, answering email, taking darsana of Radha-Govinda or occasionally coping with a headache. I am alert and not bored, like Madhumati.”

“We have had wintry weather for the entire month of April. There has been frequent snowfall, and it has been too cold for me to go out and take a walk (which I need for exercise). In Goloka Vrindavana, the weather is always ideal. Flowers are always blooming. Fruits are always available, and the many birds are singing melodically. The real perfection of the dhama [spiritual abode] is that Krishna lives there, and He and His associates are sac-cid-ananda vigraha [in eternal spiritual forms full of knowledge and bliss]. Everything is spiritual and not subject to destruction. Prabhupada spoke of going ‘back to home, back to Godhead,’ and titled his magazine, Back to Godhead. He and all the pure devotees desire and work for the liberation of all living entities and their return back to Godhead. It is not easy to attain, but Lord Caitanya has made it as easy as possible. One can give up all material attachments and attain the spiritual world simply by chanting Hare Krishna.”

From Vaishnava Compassion:

“Srila Prabhupada gave the example of an apartment dweller’s right to live in his own apartment and equated the apartment with the body. It is criminal, he said, to take or destroy another person’s home. Similarly, it is criminal to deny a soul the right karma has bestowed upon it to live in a particular body. Tolerance means we recognize that right even when it causes us inconvenience.”

Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu:

Gunagrahi Swami [who left his body recently in Vrindavan] was among the many devotees who joined in Buffalo. He traveled around America preaching. He spent a lot of time in San Diego.

Comment by Jitavrata Prabhu: He came to Dallas in 1995 or 1996. He was expert in kirtan. He knew many instruments. He would play the tablas. He would teach the others. He stayed there several months. When he came to Vrindavan two years ago the people taking care of him were in difficulty not having enough funds. Gunagrahi Swami did not want them to advertise for help. I told him that was foolish. If they just contacted the devotees in Dallas, they would get so much support. They did that, and they were no longer in need.

Comment by me to Jitavrata Prabhu after class: I just knew Gunagrahi Swami a little bit from San Diego. He was very mild and very friendly. I remember he would play a drum something like a djembe.

Why are we here? Why do bad things happen to good people? In Srila Prabhupada books he has given answers to so many important questions.

There were two incarnations of Matsya, one who killed Hayagriva and the one who pulled the boat.

Until I was thirty-two I ate meat. I never thought I would ever become vegetarian. I tell other people, “If I could become vegetarian, anyone can become vegetarian.”

The Supersoul is God as our co-pilot guiding us throughout our life.

Srila Prabhupada stressed that if you look within, your spiritual life will open up.

I remember when I was three years old my mother would force-feed me a baby food with meat in it. I did not want to eat it. Neither did my sisters. I think we are just trained up to think meat-eating is part of life so we end up accepting it.

If you have any enemies in your spiritual life, you are not in spiritual life. A spiritually advanced person has no enemies.

Distribute books. If you cannot do that, write books. If you cannot do that, chant the holy name. If you cannot do that, just smile and be happy being a devotee.

Gunagrahi Swami left his body with a smile on his face in the midst of a roaring kirtan with many swamis. That should be our aspiration.

It is a race we are in going back home, back to Godhead. If we can share some mercy on the way, that is good.

As devotees we are like in a prison [this material world] but given a better situation because of good behavior.

Jananivasa Prabhu:

A devotee is interested in self-realization and associates with others interested in self-realization.

No one knows the purpose of life. If you ask anyone, “What is the goal of life?” Most people would have difficulty answering it.

The guru comes and gives realized knowledge.

The Bhagavad-gita is a book on destiny. So many places Krishna says, “If you do this, you will get this result.” “If you worship the demigods, you will go to the planets of the demigods, but if you worship Me you will come to Me.” (Bg. 9.25)

I asked Srila Prabhupada a question about deity worship. In the list of sixty-four items, asana is mentioned. Srila Prabhupada replied that was a seat for the spiritual master, and he explained to me that we offer the food to our spiritual master and he offers it to his spiritual master, and in this way it goes up to Lord Caitanya, and ultimately Radha-Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada also explained that although our offerings go through the parampara, the chain of spiritual teachers, our experience is that it is direct. In fact, the desire of the guru is that we become Krishna’s servants.

Without the parampara we would have no knowledge of Krishna in human society.

Radharani has fifty stoves in her kitchen.

Here in Mayapur we offer twenty items on the raja-bhoga [lunch] plate for the deities.

The teachings of the acaryas expose the real purpose of life.

The Avanti brahmana concludes that the false ego, which produces the mind and senses, causes our material identification and thus our suffering. The mind is the king of the senses and is very strong.

We have the desire to be controllers and enjoyers, and thus Krishna has created this world to give us a place to control and enjoy in.

It is described that Lord Shiva is the false ego of the universal form of the Lord.

As soon as we desire to control or enjoy, everything we perceive is colored by the false ego, which is the junction between spirit and matter.

The false ego has different features such as the tendency to become covered by maya and the sense of insufficiency.

Who is the enjoyer of Durga-devi? Shiva, not us.

When Krishna says, “I am the seed giving father” and speaks of impregnating the material nature, he is referring to his guna-avatara Lord Shiva because Lord Krishna does not actually touch the material nature.

Radha and Krishna expand as Laksmi and Narayana, and into the material world as Shiva and Durga, and thus there is really no existence beyond Radha and Krishna.

Mahalaksmi Devi Dasi (from an island off of Spain):

As Srila Prabhupada would often say, “Be Krishna conscious always twenty-four hours a day.”

The real blessing is to come into or to enter the pastimes of the Lord.

Srila Prabhupada would always speak of hearing with rapt attention which means to hear with the heart.

To offer obeisances to the Lord is a benediction and a privilege. Not everyone is able to do it.

Imagine the Lord appeared in the hands of King Satyavrata as a small fish! He appeared to him because of his devotion.

Our challenge is to remember Krishna twenty-four hours a day.

The Lord’s mercy is always good even when it seems bitter. Just as we can acquire a taste for the bitter vegetable karela, we can develop the ability to appreciate bitter experiences to be the mercy of the Lord.

Srila Prabhupada gives credit to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the acaryas for the successful completion of his translation of the Eighth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. He does not say the success was because he worked so hard or because he took great trouble getting up early in the morning to write.

Sita Devi [the wife of Advaita Acarya] was absorbed in maternal affection for Lord Caitanya like Saci Devi herself.

Pancharatna Prabhu:

Despite being known as a place of learning, Navadvipa was absorbed in demigod worship which Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita is less intelligent.

Our small intelligence allows us to think that the benedictions this world has to offer although temporary are worth pursuing.

The karmis pursue good work aspiring for good results, and some of these think that they can get better results than they deserve by worshiping demigods.

You will get some benedictions from these demigods, but they will come to an end, and therefore, Krishna says you are stupid.

People work hard for years to be a CEO, and then they lose everything and have to start at square one. If I knew this was going to happen every single time would I do it?

I committed so many sins in this life, don’t I have do something about that? Krishna says, “No, just surrender to Me. Just please Me. I will take care of it. Don’t worry.”

If we think we can get ahead by worshiping the demigods, then consider “Why not worship the person that the demigods worship instead?” That is Lord Krishna.

If you hear the call of Krishna, “Come back home. Leave this world of suffering. Come back to Me. You are part of Me. We are together. We enjoy together.” then heed the call. Give up this useless endeavor.

The teachings of the Lord in his form as Matsya are not elaborated upon here. There is a whole Purana that contains the instructions of Matsya – the Matsya Purana.

Gunagrahi Maharaja was one of my first inspirations when I moved into the temple in Buffalo. He was already married at that time, as was Rupanuga Prabhu. I always remember his happiness, his friendly happy demeanor, how enthusiastic and jolly he was. He loved kirtan. He used the congo drum and a tower of bells. He was one of those kirtaneers who just loved participating in it and only occasionally did he lead.

Krishna does not promise He will give you health or material assets. He promises, “I am going to give you freedom, and I am going to give you love.” And that is what we really want.

The Lord manifests the spiritual world here. That is the dhama.

In Purusottama Ksetra [Jagannatha Puri] Lord Caitanya experiences the highest ecstasy of Radharani in separation from Krishna.

Some pastimes you need a material world for. Lord Caitanya would not have to take sannnyasa to preach in the spiritual world nor would Lord Krishna have demons to kill there.

Yajna Murti Prabhu, from Brazil:

I was disgusted working in bank, thinking life must have some other purpose. I left my family and went to Rio de Janeiro and studied yoga. I heard of Bhagavad-gita and developed a desire to get one. My friend gave me one for my birthday. I became disgusted with that yoga class. I went to the mountains and brought my Bhagavad-gita. I felt everything I needed was in that book. I painted a picture of Krishna and a calf by the Yamuna. Family attachment is very strong in Brazil, and my mother, who was a very strong personality decided she wanted me to return to my hometown. My parents came to visit me with the purpose of bringing me back. After several days they suddenly gave up their attempt and returned home. I was surprised. Later I went back to my home after my father had died. My mother said, “Do you remember how your father and I came to bring you back but suddenly returned home?”

I replied, Yes.”

She explained, “Your father said that picture of Krishna spoke to him and said, ‘Don’t you worry. Everything is well. You can go back to your home.’”

From his Vyasa-puja offering:

You said that you live forever in your books. This I have actually experienced over the years. It is a comforting truth that you are alive in your books. Thank you for living forever in your books.

Shyamasundara Jagannatha Prabhu, disciple of Jayapataka Swami:

In each of these prayers of King Satyavrata to Lord Matsya, the King first tells the defects of the false shelters of the materialists and then glorifies the value of surrendering to the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Matsya Himself.

In this purport Srila Prabhupada says it is the birthright of the living entity to attain the kingdom of God.

In one sense there cannot be a false guru. One who is false cannot be a guru, and one who is a guru cannot be false. Srila Prabhupada speaks of false gurus to differentiate them from a true guru. The only agenda of a true guru is to represent the Supreme Lord and to help his disciple to attain the abode of the Lord.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura speaks of two false gurus, the hypocrite who is unqualified to be guru, and one’s own mind.

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura refers to false gurus as those in the Putana clan. He advises discussing the Putana pastime and her pretense of appearance as a nurse and her ultimate death by the hands of Krishna.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says the false gurus use logic and reason to support their views, and will include verses of the scripture if they can find some that support them. The true guru presents the scriptures and the conclusions of the previous spiritual authorities.

Once a devotee told Srila Prabhupada that he wanted to become expert in Sanskrit. Srila Prabhupada did not discourage him but told him to do his studies while remaining in the society of Srila Prabhupada’s other disciples. The disciple was so busy with his studies he neglected the association of devotees and ultimately began thinking the other disciples were neophytes and that he would become degraded by associating with them.

The false gurus aspire for worship, fame, and material gain.

Once someone asked Srila Bhaktisiddhanta why he allowed people who were not following his principles to live in the ashram and did not kick them out instead. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta replied that as long as they lived in the ashram they had a choice to follow or not to follow but if he kicked them out they would have only one choice, not to follow. Thus thinking of their potential benefit, he allowed them to stay.

I was in a Muslim country and my guru instructed us to institute the worship of Damodara in the houses of new Indian people who were not part of the sangha. We were reluctant as it is dangerous to promote Hinduism in a Muslim country. My guru spoke of the success of other devotees instituting worshiping of Damodara in the homes of Indians in another Muslim country and continued to push us. We did it reluctantly, only because it was the order of our guru. The program was just ten or twenty houses in the beginning, yet ultimately it grew to three thousand homes. Such is the vision of the true guru.

Premanjan Prabhu:

People like to hear stories so there are so many pastimes in the Bhagavatam, but within the stories, as here with King Satyavrata and also with the pastimes of Dhruva Maharaja and Prahlada Maharaja, there are so many instructions.

Suhrt is a friend who benefits you even if you just give him trouble.

Priya is also often used in Bengali between husband and wife or lover and beloved and hints at the conjugal relationship with Krishna.

The body is like a house. The Supersoul is the owner of the house, and we are like the tenant.

I may want to enjoy like a pig, but until the Supersoul supplies a pig body, I cannot enjoy like a pig. A kid cannot even steal something unless God gives permission.

99% of people are very stubborn. Even after hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita for years, people are still inclined to material sense gratification.

Sastra [with a short ‘a’] means punishment with weapons, sa – with and astra – weapons.

Krishna gives freedom – do as you like – but not unconditionally, at your own risk.

Giving class is a good chance to preach to our own minds.

The mind is like an expert lawyer trying to convince you that material enjoyment is worth pursuing, and you have to be alert not to get trapped.

Mayy eva mana adhatsva (Bg. 12.8) . . . is raganuga. Krishna says, “If you can spontaneously engage your mind in Me, you can only go upward.”

In the next four verses (Bg. 12.9–12), Krishna very kindly gives us different options for elevating our soul.

We are fortunate to have sambandha [knowledge of our relationship with God] through Srila Prabhupada’s books. We have to work on abhidheya [our spiritual practice].

One girl from a poor family won a gold medal in athletics for India by practicing ten hours a day. Do you practice ten hours a day to attain Krishna-prema?

Srila Prabhupada says we have to always doubt our mind.

We may get the association of our guru once a year, but we can consult Supersoul at every moment.

Internal sincerity Krishna will definitely reciprocate with.

We sometimes experience waves of ignorance, waves of passion, and waves of goodness (sattva-guna). When we realize we are influenced by goodness we should take advantage and endeavor spiritually for we can make much spiritual advancement in a short time.

Acintya Caitanya Prabhu:

People within India and outside complain about the Hare Krishna movement, you are simply focus on Hare Krishna and nothing else. Why do we do that? Because the Srimad-Bhagavatam kicks out all kinds of cheating religion.

The scriptures that promote other things than the glories of Krishna can be misused for the sense gratification and thus they are rejected.

Often even people who know the Vedic conclusion do not present the Vedic conclusion because they know people are more interested in sense gratification.

Srila Prabhupada points out in the verse “harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam” the word “kevalam” stresses that nothing other than the holy name will be effective in this age.

Srila Prabhupada had the courage to say all these other things are wrong and this thing is right.

Lord Caitanya did not just come to give bhakti, but also vairagya and vidya.

If you develop love of God, God will take care of everything else.

Reading the scriptures is essential to chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses.

There is a true story that the Sri Vaishnavas tell about a prostitute who moved to the edge of a brahmana community. Some of the brahmanas ended up seeing the prostitute, and people complained to the local acarya about the situation. The acarya decided to ask the prostitute why she decided to move to the brahmana community. She said she understood her occupation was extremely sinful but there was nothing else she knew to do. She considered if she lived near the brahmana community, by serving the Vaishnavas with her profession, she could be delivered. The acarya explained to her that that kind of service is not pleasing to Vishnu and thus it could not be considered Vaishnava seva. The story is used to teach that it is not enough to serve but one must serve with proper understanding.

Ikshvaku Prabhu:

The Bhagavatam sometimes deals with history, sometimes philosophy, and sometimes the emotions of the devotee. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says Bhagavatam most importantly teaches how to feel for the Lord.

According to The Guru and What Srila Prabhupada Said, Srila Prabhupada often said that everyone should become a guru. Now there is some controversy about women becoming gurus, but according to Srila Prabhupada, even children should become gurus. How old was Prahlada Maharaja? Five years. How old was Dhruva Maharaja? Five years.

Krishna describes in Bhagavad-gita how the soul is seen as amazing (Bg. 2.29), but what is most amazing is to see the devotion of the soul.

Srila Prabhupada said that when his mother passed away was a turning point in his life. Someone so dear to him was suddenly gone. The philosophy suddenly becomes more clear.

Srila Prabhupada’s poem “Vrindavan Bhajan” is 108 verses and contains the whole philosophy of Krishna consciousness.

In that poem Srila Prabhupada talks about the mantra for perfection. What is that mantra? It is the last thing Arjuna says [to Krishna] in Bhagavad-gita: karisye vacanam tava – “I shall do as you say.”

Srila Prabhupada was chosen by divine providence to share this message of devotion to the world.

I saw the devotees in New York City in 1971 when I was seven years old. I saw them again in Los Angeles. I was fascinated. I saw them as floating angels.

Everywhere you go, you see devotees. Hare Krishna is still exploding.

When Satyavrata Maharaja noticed that the fish immediately outgrew any container he could provide he intelligently realized the fish to be an incarnation of the Supreme Lord, for what other entity could do that?

My experience of religion in my youth as a Catholic going Catholic school for twelve years was very boring and sometimes scary. Srila Prabhupada gave us something dynamic and exciting.

There are new bogus gurus nowadays. The ones from Srila Prabhupada’s day have passed on. They tend to be more word jugglers now rather than magicians. Perhaps Srila Prabhupada bashed the idea of bogus gurus making gold so much, the new ones do not try that.

Comment by a Prabhupada disciple, Jivanatha Prabhu: In Australia one man in the audience to create controversy asked Srila Prabhupada, “What do you think of Sai Baba?”

He replied, “Who is that?”

People laughed. That ended the discussion, and the man sat down.

Comment by one mataji, Karuna Mayi Devi Dasi: I was with Sai Baba for three years before I joined ISKCON. You do not have to worry about them. They do not have the answer, and those who are sincere will realize that. [To me after class: They had everything, the four rules, the deities, prasadam, Bhagavad-gita, the idea that you are not your body, etc., but some realization was missing, so I left after three years. Sai Baba’s followers think he was God.]

Nrsimhananda Prabhu:

The demigods are not pure devotees, but because they try to follow the Supreme Lord, their benedictions are fruitful.

The Bhagavatam is all about people falling down, Ajamila, Brahma, Yayati, Pururava, etc.

Vashishta Muni tried to commit suicide several times, but Krishna did not want him to so he failed every time.

Srila Prabhupada said we should not be surprised by someone falling down but we should be surprised if someone does not fall down.

But although these people fall down, because they take shelter of Krishna and the process of devotional service, they are delivered.

Prabhupada said three days on sankirtana is worth a thousand years of sacrifice by one Vedic sage.

When the mind is steady like a lamp in a windless place that is Krishna consciousness, but how often is our mind like that?

Fall downs happen less to people who are advanced than to people who are not advanced.

We do not play with cars any more like we did when we were kids. For us as adults, giving up playing with cars is not a big deal. In the same way, the advanced devotee does not have sex any more because he has a higher taste.

Comment by a senior lady: Someone informed Srila Prabhupada that the GBCs were not coming to mangala-arati. Srila Prabhupada called them all in and told them to go to mangala-arati and the rest of the morning program and to finish GBC meetings by 5:00 p.m. and take bath and go to the evening arati. The next morning, all the GBCs were at mangala-arati.

In a purport in the Gajendra pastime, Srila Prabhupada said that if you do not attend mangala-arati, you cannot go back to Godhead.

Guna Manjari Devi Dasi:

Enjoying and controlling go together because we cannot enjoy something unless we can control it.

At least we have to develop the desire to hear about the Lord to receive His mercy in the form of cleansing ourselves from material desires.

SB 1.2.17 – describes a neophyte

SB 1.2.18 – describes a madhyama

SB 1.2.19 – describes a uttama

By meditating on sense pleasures, we invite maya into our life.

We can pray to Krishna to cut our knots of material attachments.

Harinama Cintamani says that one is known as a Vaishnava for taking shelter of Lord Vishnu not for some external feature.

There is also a nice verse there of many names of Krishna related to His pastimes. These direct names are more powerful in advancing us spiritually.

Comment by me: Here is a related verse from Prahlada Maharaja’s teachings: “In this material world, every materialist desires to achieve happiness and diminish his distress, and therefore he acts accordingly. Actually, however, one is happy as long as one does not endeavor for happiness; as soon as one begins his activities for happiness, his conditions of distress begin.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.7.42)

Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Day

I took notes on the Vyasa-puja homages in Mayapur. If you are inspired to hear them in their entirety, just click here:

https://www.mayapur.tv/index.php?stream=MayapurTV/MayapurTV**MayapurTV/Srila%20Prabhupada%20Vyasa%20Puja___20180904045822.mp4

Parvat Maharaja (from Mexico):

Srila Prabhupada stressed book distribution.

He knew how to engage people.

Prabhupada means Prabhupada and all his followers.

Hari Sauri Prabhu:

Srila Prabhupada said to me in Mayapur in 1977, “Actually it does not matter even if I die immediately. I have given the basis for everything, and now if they simply manage things nicely and follow whatever programs I have begun, then everything will be successful.”

Hrimati Devi Dasi:

Srila Prabhupada has taught us how to love. Not just to love Krishna, but to love Srila Prabhupada himself, and to love all living beings.

When he visited our Hyderabad farm, he was concerned how the animals were doing. There was a blind dog, and he noticed the dog was blind and said he should be given special attention.

He wanted everything done expertly, whatever it was.

Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu:

We have a Russian book telling of important events in Srila Prabhupada’s life.

One example is one lady disciple who had serious health issues and felt she was on the verge of death. When Srila Prabhupada asked her what was wrong, she said, “Everything!” He touched her head and said she would be alright, and she was.

Visvadika Devi Dasi:

There should be no end to the number of times I offer obeisances to you because you are the one who is daily pulling me toward Krishna and away from the ocean of material existence.

Your dealings are completely transcendental.

Jananivasa Prabhu:

I offered Srila Prabhupada caranamrita each morning. I made it with a spoon of sugar.

He said, “Not sweet enough.”

I decided that Srila Prabhupada likes it sweet, so the next day I put in three spoons of sugar.

That day after tasting it, he said, “Too sweet.”

So the next day I made it with two spoons of sugar, and he accepted it.

He said there should be two bells in the temple, one on each side, and one should sound “ding” and the other should sound “dong.”

Muktihetu Devi Dasi (from Brazil):

You gave us the most confidential knowledge. You gave us the jewel of the feelings of true love.

Pancharatna Prabhu:

I am approaching the age you were at when you left Vrindavan for the West. I still complain of minor inconveniences, but you, motivated by love, tolerated so much inconvenience to benefit others.

I pray I keep your mission at forefront of my mind.

Atitaguna Devi Dasi:

You love Krishna, and you want us to learn what it is like to love Him.

Thank you for your compassion and for always trying to help us.

Bhavananda Prabhu:

We were all attracted to Srila Prabhupada as iron filings are attracted to magnet. We did not know much. I all I knew is one minute I saw Srila Prabhupada, and the next minute I was serving him.

I was given the task of redecorating the room while Srila Prabhupada was out. The devotees said I should be done before Srila Prabhupada returned, but I went slower because I wanted to see Srila Prabhupada.

He suddenly appeared, and asked “Who has done?”

The devotees said it was me, and Srila Prabhupada turned to me and said, “You can design the temple and go back to Godhead or you can design the dancing hall and go to hell.”

Srila Prabhupada once give Tamal a sweet ball, and Tamal saved it to eat later. Gopal snatched the sweet, making Tamal angry. Srila Prabhupada smiled, accepting the action, and saying, “Transcendental thievery!”

Srila Prabhupada related with us in a very human way and a very fatherly way, and thus he tied us by ropes of love.

Saumya Devi Dasi (from France):

We were preparing for Srila Prabhupada’s coming to Paris in 1977, but he was so sick in London he could not come.

Although we could not meet him, his books traveled the entire planet.

He fulfilled the prophecy of Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

I was initiated on November 11, Govardhan Puja, and he left this world on November 14. It was like I was an orphan after three days.

It is a miracle that so many formerly unqualified people are now engaged in the service of Radha and Krishna by his mercy.

He came to the West with nothing, only his dedication to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, not knowing what he would find.

Accept me as your little sister and always encourage me to serve my divine master.

Vastushresta Prabhu:

Before you the world did not know about Krishna, what to speak of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His message.

Still there is so much preaching to do.

In ISKCON so many accomplishments are there, hundreds of temples, millions of books in dozens of languages, farm communities, restaurants, etc., by your grace. People are always looking where things are happening. In ISKCON, is where it is happening.

Thank you for taking us to Krishna and giving us shelter from the storm.

Srimati Devi Dasi:

I am so thankful you saved me.

You gave us the Vedic wisdom, knowledge, and tradition.

By your mercy, we can clearly understand the darkness of this material world.

There is a letter in which Srila Prabhupada says he wanted Mayapur to be self-sufficient.

Riddha Prabhu:

No other person has inundated society with the Vedic teachings like you.

My book distribution memories are the highlights of my life.

You wrote, “Flood them with kirtan and books. Increase the number of buses and that would be your success.”

Your books are free from speculation.

You are world’s greatest revolutionary.

I pray not to be motivated by profit, distinction, or adoration, but to serve you in pure devotion.

Radha Kunda Devi Dasi:

You have saved us from the samsara cakra, going up and down, sometimes as a dog, cat, mosquito, etc., and you have placed us in the Hare Krishna boat going back to Godhead. Here we are sitting in this spiritual world of Mayapur, with Radha Madhava.

He went through hell for us. He said every moment on the boat he felt like vomiting.

You taught us by your example that we have to perform austerity to push on this movement.

One time he said twice, “I did not see right. I did not see left. I walked straight through hell fire to get you out.”

He said, “People are suffering. Their only hope is these books.” We can please him by distributing his books. Keep some books with you, and Krishna will show you who you can distribute them to. Please him on the day he chose to come to this world. Today go to the book stall, and get some books and distribute them.

Murari Hari Prabhu (Bengali devotee who teaches kirtan in Mayapur):

Srila Prabhupada heard me singing from the day he arrived in Mayapur, and he called me upstairs, and he told me to do kirtan in the temple and to teach the foreign devotees how to do kirtan.

Through kirtan, we can transcend the material covering.

Satadhanya Prabhu:

One devotee, Romaharsana, a former Hells Angel, told Prabhupada there was an injunction not to eat before the deity, after Srila Prabhupada had popped a laddu he was given into his mouth. Srila Prabhupada quoted from the Padma Purana that one must accept prasadam upon receiving it, and gave laddus to all the devotees who popped them in their mouths.

Jada Bharata Prabhu:

His deity worship, his books, etc., were all distributed all over the world.

After programs he would wash all the dishes and clean up after the program when no one volunteered to assist him. This is how he started ISKCON.

He has not given us many rules.

[I did not write an offering this year, nor did I speak one. I did, however, post on Facebook a sweet excerpt of a letter from Srila Prabhupada to Sudama Prabhu where he describes his success, and many of my friends liked it. In this way, I made my own small offering to Srila Prabhupada. Perhaps you will like it too:

Krishna’s miracle – “Yes, from the very beginning I went to New York because I thought that Krishna Consciousness is the most important idea in the world, so let me go to that place, New York, which is the most important city in the world, and if I am able to do anything for Krishna and my Spiritual Master, even I am at the fag-end of my life, at least let me try for it there. So my dreams have all come true, and all of you nice boys and girls are getting the credit. When I was alone in your New York, I was thinking, who will listen to me in this horrible, sinful place? All right, I shall stay little longer, at least I can distribute a few of my books, that is something. But Krishna was all along preparing something I could not see, and He brought you to me one by one, sincere American boys and girls, to be trained-up for doing the work of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Now I can see that it is a miracle. Otherwise, your city of New York, one single old man, with only a few books to sell for barely getting eatables, how he can survive, what to speak of introducing God-consciousness movement for saving the humankind? That is Krishna’s miracle. Now I can see it.” (a Srila Prabhupada letter to Sudama, December 23, 1972)

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!]

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Reflecting on the notes on the Vyasa Puja offerings I just read, I recall again this verse, which mentions sadhu-sanga [association with pure devotees] three times. Just a moment of association with Srila Prabhupada, and in some cases, even with his followers, transformed so many people’s lives in a spiritually positive way. Srila Prabhupada ki, jaya!

‘sadhu-sanga’, ‘sadhu-sanga’—sarve sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya

 “The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 22.54)