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!
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):
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):
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):
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.
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:
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!]
-----
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)